Department of Physics and Industrial Physics, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria; Department of Physics Electronics, Federal Polytechnic, Bida, Nigeria
Nwokoye, A.O.C., Department of Physics and Industrial Physics, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria; Okonkwo, G.N., Department of Physics Electronics, Federal Polytechnic, Bida, Nigeria
The experimental performance of direct solar water heating system and measurements of various temperature values and water flow rate is presented. The system was designed to use a natural pressure circulation or themosiphon method to achieve solar heated water. The thermosiphon system follows a general passive heating of water. The location of the collector system is north-south direction upon which the sun is allowed to heat the water in the collector through various water tubes that absorb the heat from the plate by conduction and transfers it to the water passing through the tubes by convection. In the process, the water becomes warmer compared to the water in the tank. The parameters measured include water flow rate in m3/h using industrial grade water flow meter. Five sets of temperature readings: inlet temperature, T1; plate temperature, T2; outlet temperature, T 3; lower tank temperature, T4 and upper tank temperature, T5 were taken. The results showed that the maximum temperatures recorded were 44°C for ambient temperature, 65°C for inlet temperature, 74°C for plate temperature, 83°C for outlet temperature, 39°C for lower tank temperature and 39°C for upper tank temperature. The average water flow rate was 0.3308m3/h. The system's thermal performance was found to be highly efficient. © EuroJournals Publishing, Inc. 2012.
