Energy Analysis of Nano (CuO) Coated Flat Plate Solar Collector for Drying Purpose

Abstract

Solar energy is abundantly available renewable energy source and an alternative for limited fossil fuel
resources. One of the simplest and most direct applications of this energy is the conversion of useful solar radiation
into heat, which can be used for drying purposes. This research includes an exergy analysis of Cupric Oxide (CuO)
nano - coated flat plate solar collector, developed to determine the optimal performance and design parameters of the
solar to thermal energy conversion system. A detailed energy and exergy analysis is carried out for evaluating the
thermal and optical performance, exergy flows and losses as well as exergetic efficiency for the CuO nano - coated
flat plate solar collector under given operating conditions. In this analysis, the following geometric and operating
parameters are considered as variables: the absorber plate area, dimensions of solar collector, pipes’ diameter, mass
flow rate, air inlet and outlet temperature, the overall loss coefficient etc., A simulation program is developed for the
thermal and exergetic calculations. The differential equations were solved and executed using MAT lab. The results
of this computational program are in good agreement with the experimental measurements.