Experimental Investigation of Double Pass Solar Air Heater using Different Porous Media

Performance evaluation of a double pass solar air heater is done with using different types of porous medium. The heat transfer performance of the double pass solar air heater can be improved using porous medium. These porous medium is placed in the lower duct of the double pass air heater. In order to obtain the optimum design parameters and maximum efficiency of solar air heater, several studies have been carried out including non-porous and porous material assisted channels. Temperature data along the collector, pressure drop, variation in the flow rate were measured to evaluate the performance of solar air heater. Comparison is made between the performances of the solar air heater with using different type of porous medium. The study concluded that by using porous material in the lower duct of the solar collector will improve its performance. Outlet temperature is increased using porous materials.