Sensitivity analysis in efficiency of the solar water heater system self-circulated by a steam power

Abstract

The sensitivity analysis in efficiency of solar water heater system self-circulated by a stream power was performed in this study. The mathematical model of the system was developed based on the experimental results to predict the available amount of water pumped, temperature and pressure in main devices. This system was operated by using a simple flat plate solar collector with an exposed area of 1.58 m2, and a storage tank of 30 liters. The results of systematic performance which performed by math model was compared to the experimental results. It was found that the values of were 5.876%, 3.583% and 1.361% for vapor pressure and temperature in the flat plate solar collector and temperature in the storage tank, respectively. The system was workable when the solar energy input values were equal to or greater than 584 W/m2, 607 W/m2, 632 W/m2 and 662 W/m2 for discharge head 1 m, 1.5 m, 2 m and 2.5 m respectively. From system simulation, the system could have the daily average thermal efficiency was between 2.94 – 11.47% and the daily average pump efficiency 0.00057 – 0.0026% depending on the intensity of incident solar radiation and the discharge head of the system.