CFD analysis of the effect of internal peak angle and mass flow rates on the thermal performance of solar air heater with triangle cross-section

A new design of Solar Air Heater (SAH) with triangle cross-section is numerically studied. The thermal performance SAH studied at various mass flow rates, inlet air temperatures and solar irradiation intensities. CFD model developed using the software ?ANSYS Fluent? to study fluid heat transfer in heater. 3D discretization applied collector cross section. Mesh independence performed order choose adequate mesh. discrete ordinate radiation (DOM) RNG k-? turbulence are used radiative turbulent inside SAH. Particularly, effects different internal peak angles (145?,126?, 100?, 80? 67.5?) under intensities (from 620W/m^2 1081W/m^2) improve results show a good agreement between numerical experimental data an average error 6%. maximum outlet temperature reached 72?C for geometries 12 16 channels (Internal 67.5?, respectively) rate 0.0264kg/s. performances 24.2% higher than standard geometry, respectively intensity 1081 W/m^2. configuration angle selected as optimal efficiency 79%, low pressure drops compared geometry lower costs.