Performance evaluation of a single solar air heater with N-sub collectors connected in different combinations

In the present communication, a generalized procedure has been described for the performance evaluation of a solar air heater with N-subcollectors with identical collector aspect ratio connected in various combinations such as in series, parallel and seriesÐparallel. It has been found that the performance of a solar air heating system can be improved by operating several subcollectors in series in place of a single large collector with the same total area. Results have been presented to show the e¤ect of various design parameters, viz. collector aspect ratio, mass ßow rate, etc. on the performance of solar air heater with N-subcollectors in series, parallel and series and parallel combinations.