Experimental and Numerical Study of Thermal Performance for Flat Plate Solar Water Heater in Najaf

Abstract

This work presented the numerical and experimental study of the thermal performance of a flat plate collector (FPC). This study focuses on analyzing the performance of (FPC) in the climatic conditions of Najaf and calculating the thermal energy produced by the collector for domestic use, which reduces the electricity consumption that Iraq is witnessing a severe shortage in its supply. Also, various working fluids (water, oil engine, ethylene glycol-water mixture) were tested to determine the best working fluid that improves the collector’s efficiency. The experiments were performed in Najaf, Iraq (32° 2’ N / 44° 18’ E) on January 9, 2019. The simulation study of the (FPC) is performed by COMSOL Multiphasic 5.3 software. The numerical results were validated with experimental results and there was good convergence between them. The results showed that the average daily efficiency of the solar collector (FPC) was 37.17%, and the highest outlet water temperature of the collector was 57.1Co. The collector achieved a useful cumulative useful heat during the day of about 3.3557 MW, this contributes to reducing the use of electricity and achieving the required economic feasibility of use (FPC). Finally, the engine oil gave better results in improving efficiency compared to other working fluids.