Performance Analysis of Domestic Thermosyphon Solar Water Heater at Mautech, Yola Nigeria

Abstract

This paper present the performance profile of a thermosyphon flat plate solar water heater developed at the Modibbo Adama University of Technology (MAUTECH), Yola. The major components of the heater include; solar collector, storage tank and circulating pipes. The solar collector has a surface area of 1.5 m² mounted on an angled-iron frame tilted to an angle of 14 degrees. Data were collected for three days (clear and cloudy days).  The dynamic performance of the system to variations in solar insolation was studied and analized. The maximum output water temperature recorded was 79.5 ^oC, 71.5 ^oC and 76.5 ^oC respectively at 13:00 hr for both the three days while the maximum recorded ambient temperature was 40.63 ^oC, 36.60 ^oC and 37.54 ^oC at 16:00 hr respectively. The maximum collector efficiency occurred at 17:00 hr for all the three days with values 80.84 %, 78.96 % and 73.46 % respectively. Thermosyphon solar water heating system finds useful application and acts as cost effective renewable energy resource in region with abundant and consistent solar insolation.

Keywords: Thermosyphon, solar water heater, insolation, collector efficiency, overall heat loss coefficient