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Enhancing solar air heater performance using corrugated plates and perforated baffles
Badreddine Ayadi1, Khalil Hajlaoui2, Ali M Mohsen3
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Ha'il, Ha'il City 81451, Saudi Arabia.
Scientific Reports
|December 10, 2025
Summary
Adding perforated baffles to corrugated solar air heaters (SAHs) boosts thermal performance by enhancing heat transfer. Optimization is key to balance improved efficiency with increased pressure drop for better renewable energy systems.
Area of Science:
- Renewable Energy Engineering
- Sustainable Heating Systems
- Thermal Sciences
Background:
- Solar air heaters (SAHs) are crucial for sustainable heating.
- Improving SAH thermal performance is vital for efficient solar energy utilization.
- Corrugated absorber plates and baffles are key components influencing SAH efficiency.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of corrugated absorber plates with perforated baffles on SAH heat transfer and flow.
- To analyze various baffle layouts and pitch distances under different flow conditions.
- To optimize SAH design for enhanced thermal-hydraulic performance.
Main Methods:
- Three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were employed.
- Grid independence and experimental validation ensured numerical accuracy.
- Analysis covered different Reynolds numbers, baffle configurations, and pitch distances.
Main Results:
- Perforated baffles significantly increase convective heat transfer by inducing turbulence and flow separation.
- Higher Nusselt numbers and heat transfer coefficients were observed.
- Case A showed 27% better thermal performance than Case D at Re=5,000; specific baffle configurations improved efficiency by 10-22%.
Conclusions:
- Perforated baffles enhance SAH thermal efficiency but increase pressure drop.
- Geometric optimization is necessary to balance heat transfer enhancement and flow resistance.
- The study provides guidelines for improving the thermal-hydraulic efficiency of SAHs in renewable energy applications.
Keywords:
BaffleNumerical analysisSolar air heater (SAH)Solar energyThermal improvementVortex generatorMore Related Videos
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