Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria; National Universities Commission, Abuja, Nigeria
Njoku, H.O., Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria; Ekechukwu, O.V., National Universities Commission, Abuja, Nigeria; Odukwe, A.O., Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
The 'reverse-side absorber-plate shallow solar pond' (RASSP), consisting of a semi-cylindrical reflector attached to the exposed base of a conventional shallow solar pond, has been conceived in two variants, viz., one with double glass covers and the other with insulation over the top. The thermal performances of these RASSPs have also been studied analytically to determine the effect of depth variation and time of the year on the maximum water temperatures and overall daily efficiencies they are able to attain. The results of the study, here presented, show that attainable water temperatures decrease while overall daily efficiencies increase as pond depth increases. And that, for a fixed pond depth, the daily peak water temperatures attainable are strongly dependent on the time of the year, while overall daily efficiencies are not. For all seasons and depths, the RASSP with double glass covers is predicted to consistently deliver higher water temperatures but lower overall daily efficiencies compared to the RASSP with top insulation. © 2009 Taylor & Francis.
Comparative studies; Cylindrical reflectors; Depth variation; Glass covers; Plate collectors; Shallow solar ponds; Thermal analysis; Thermal Performance; Water temperatures; Glass; Heating equipment; Lakes; Reflection; Solar heating; Solar ponds; Solar water heaters; Temperature; Thermoanalysis; Solar absorbers; comparative study; insulation; temperature effect; water temperature