Effect of porous media on the performance of the double-pass flat plate solar air heater

Abstract

The heat transfer characteristics and performance of the double-pass flat plate solar air heater with and without porous media are studied numerically. The mathematical models described the heat transfer characteristics of the double-pass flat plate solar air heater are derived from the energy conservation equations. The implicit method of finite-difference scheme is employed to solve these models. The effect of the thermal conductivity of the porous media on the heat transfer characteristics and performance is considered. The results obtained from the model are validated by comparison with experimental data of previous researchers. There is reasonable agreement between the present model and experiment. © 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.