Abstract
A low cost solar collector was developed by using polymeric components as opposed to metal and glass components of traditional solar collectors. In order to utilize polymers for the absorber of the solar collector, Carbon Nanotubes (CNT) has been added as a filler to improve the thermal conductivity and the solar absorptivity of polymers. The solar collector was designed as a multi-layer construction with considering the economic manufacturing. Through the mathematical heat transfer analysis, the performance and characteristics of the designed solar collector have been estimated. Furthermore, the prototypes of the proposed system were built and tested at a state-of-the-art solar simulator facility to evaluate the actual performance of the developed solar collector. The cost-effective polymer-CNT solar collector, which achieved efficiency as much as that of a conventional glazed flat plate solar panel, has been successfully developed.
Original language | English |
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Number of pages | 9 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 19 Sep 2014 |
Event | EuroSun 2014 International Conference on Solar Energy and Buildings - Aix-les-Bains, France Duration: 16 Sep 2014 → 19 Sep 2014 |
Conference
Conference | EuroSun 2014 International Conference on Solar Energy and Buildings |
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Country/Territory | France |
City | Aix-les-Bains |
Period | 16/09/2014 → 19/09/2014 |
Keywords
- Renewable energy
- Flat plate
- Heat transfer analysis
- Efficiency
- Cost-effective
- Prototype