Experimental Study of the Aerodynamic Characteristics of a Solar Air Collector with an Absorber Made of Carbon Textile

This article presents the methodology and results of the experimental study of the aerodynamic characteristics of the air solar collector, in which carbon textile, enclosed in the form of corrugation, is used as an absorber of solar energy. Variants of methods of laying carbon textile in a solar collector are presented and analyzed. Theoretical data on aerodynamics in a flat channel formed by smooth surfaces and knitwear material enclosed in it are given. Insufficient convergence of the known criterion equations applicable to flat smooth channels is indicated. The dependences of the change in the pressures difference before and after the air heater on the change in air flow rate when the corrugated carbon textile is placed along and across the direction of air movement were obtained, and the values of the coefficients of friction factor were determined for different laying methods. The optimal method of laying corrugated carbon textile from the point of view of aerodynamics is formulated, the necessary opening angles of the corrugations and the location of the waves relative to the direction of air movement are given. Criterion equations for determining the coefficient of friction factor in the channel formed by two flat plates and a corrugated carbon textile laid in the channel at different corrugation opening angles have been determined (corrugation opening angle).