Theoretical Study and Numerical Characterization of a Flat-Plate Solar Collector Model with Integrated Reflector for Solar Drying

This paper investigates the impact of the incorporated reflector on the dynamic performance of a flat-plate solar collector. To this end, a mathematical model was developed based on the energy balance of the collector’s various components. The equations were then solved using a numerical algorithm. The results show that incorporating the reflective surface into the collector envelope, and despite the energy losses that may result, improves performance by increasing the energy received by the absorber. Within the scope of this study the heat gain between configurations with and without reflection results in a temperature rise of 10.85°C. In particular, temperatures fall with the mass flow rate of the fluid, while they increase with the number of tubes. When the number of tubes increases from 5 to 10, outlet temperatures rise from 38.8–53.95°C for lengths of 1–2.5 m. When the number of tubes increases from 5 to 10, thermal efficiency drops from 60.0–41.6%. When absorber tube lengths increase from L = 1.0–2.5 m, exergy efficiency varies from 2.25% for 5 tubes to 0.69% for 10 tubes.