ERG 303 Solar Energy Engineering

Ex. No.3. Experiment on performance of Flat Plate Collector

– Thermosyphonic mode solar water heater

Fig. Schematic of experimental setup of solar water heater

Experimental procedure:
1. Keep all valves closed.
2. Fill cold water tank number1.
3. Open the valves 1and 2 and fill cold water tank 2 by using the pump.
4. Once the cold water tank 2 is full, open valve 3 and 4 and allows the water to flow into the
hot water tank and the collector by gravity.
5. Once the hot water tank overflows and water comeback to the cold water tank 1 close the
valves 1, 2 and 3.
6. Switch on the Wind generating fan.
7. Measure the wind speed at different locations of the collector by using the Anemometer
8. Connect all the meters and note all the readings
9. Switch on the Halogen system and set the regulator for maximum radiation level.
10. Measure the radiation level at different locations on the collector glazing by using the
radiation meter.
11. Note the values shown by different metes after every 15 minutes.
12. To know the mass flow rate open the three ways valve and note the time required to fill a
desire amount of water in the beaker
13. Keep the halogen system ON until the outlet water achieved a stable temperature.
14. Once the experiment is over drain the hot to the cold water tank I by opening valve 5.
 ERG 303 Solar Energy Engineering

Ex.No.4. Experiment on performance of Flat Plate Collector

- forced convection solar water heater

Fig. Schematic of experimental setup of solar water heater

Experimental procedure:
1. Fill up the cold water tank 2.
2. Close all valves except valve no. 3 and 4
3. Once water overflows the hot water tank close all valves except valve no. 6 and 7.
4. Switch on the pump and set the regulator at the middle position.
5. See the flow rate on the flow meter screen (forced mode).
6. To get the required flow rate first open the valve No.8 completely and then adjust then valve
7.
7. Wait for some time to get a stable flow rate reading. Once flow rate is set note all the
readings
8. Switch ON the wind generating fan and set the speed at the desire level.
9. Switch ON the halogen system and set the radiation at the desire level.
10. Note all the readings after every 15 minutes
11. Keep the pump ON throughout the experiment.
 ERG 303 Solar Energy Engineering

Ex.No.7. Experiment on performance evaluation of Parabolic Trough Collector

(Solar concentrator) and their tracking mechanism

Fig . Solar concentrator system – Paraboilc Trough