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Heat Transfer Analysis and Performance Characterization of a Thermosyphon Flat-Plate Solar Collector for Domestic Water Heating in Kaduna, Nigeria
Subject area: Science,Engineering and Technology · Area of research: Renewable Energy
DOI: https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV10I1-1719801
Abstract
This study presents an experimental heat transfer analysis and performance characterization of a thermosyphon flat-plate solar water heating system for domestic application in Kaduna, Nigeria (10.5° N, 7.5° E). The research evaluated solar radiation potential, temperature distribution, heat transfer mechanisms, and system performance using a 2.2 m² collector with selective black chrome coating (α ≈ 0.92, ε ≈ 0.12), 250-liter insulated storage tank, and water as working fluid. Experimental measurements were conducted over ten clear-sky days (22nd May to 4th June 2024) using a pyranometer and K-type thermocouples. Results showed peak irradiance of 832 W/m² (average 579.8 W/m²), outlet temperatures exceeding 90°C, and average temperature rise of 30°C across the collector. The overall heat loss coefficient was determined as 6.67 W/m²·K, with transitional flow regime (Re ≈ 2230). The Hottel-Whillier-Bliss efficiency equation was derived as η = 0.78 – 5.20 × [(Ti – Ta)/Gt] (R² = 0.89), with heat removal factor FR = 0.78. Average daily energy output was 16.4 MJ (4.56 kWh), sufficient to heat 150 liters of water from 25°C to 51°C, meeting the hot water requirements of a five-person household. This study provides the first experimentally validated performance characterization of a flat-plate solar collector for domestic water heating in Kaduna, establishing baseline data for system design and policy development in northern Nigeria's solar energy sector.
Keywords
Flat-Plate Solar Collector, Heat Transfer Analysis, Thermosyphon System, Domestic Water Heating, Hottel-Whillier Model, Kaduna Nigeria, Selective Coating, Thermal Efficiency
How to cite this paper
@article{1719801,
author = {Muazu Musa Alhaji, S. U. Muhammed, M. Samuel, M. M. Jamil, A Haruna},
title = {Heat Transfer Analysis and Performance Characterization of a Thermosyphon Flat-Plate Solar Collector for Domestic Water Heating in Kaduna, Nigeria},
journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
year = {2026},
volume = {10},
number = {1},
pages = {1742-1749},
issn = {2456-8880},
url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1719801.pdf},
abstract = {This study presents an experimental heat transfer analysis and performance characterization of a thermosyphon flat-plate solar water heating system for domestic application in Kaduna, Nigeria (10.5° N, 7.5° E). The research evaluated solar radiation potential, temperature distribution, heat transfer mechanisms, and system performance using a 2.2 m² collector with selective black chrome coating (α ≈ 0.92, ε ≈ 0.12), 250-liter insulated storage tank, and water as working fluid. Experimental measurements were conducted over ten clear-sky days (22nd May to 4th June 2024) using a pyranometer and K-type thermocouples. Results showed peak irradiance of 832 W/m² (average 579.8 W/m²), outlet temperatures exceeding 90°C, and average temperature rise of 30°C across the collector. The overall heat loss coefficient was determined as 6.67 W/m²·K, with transitional flow regime (Re ≈ 2230). The Hottel-Whillier-Bliss efficiency equation was derived as η = 0.78 – 5.20 × [(Ti – Ta)/Gt] (R² = 0.89), with heat removal factor FR = 0.78. Average daily energy output was 16.4 MJ (4.56 kWh), sufficient to heat 150 liters of water from 25°C to 51°C, meeting the hot water requirements of a five-person household. This study provides the first experimentally validated performance characterization of a flat-plate solar collector for domestic water heating in Kaduna, establishing baseline data for system design and policy development in northern Nigeria's solar energy sector.},
keywords = {Flat-Plate Solar Collector, Heat Transfer Analysis, Thermosyphon System, Domestic Water Heating, Hottel-Whillier Model, Kaduna Nigeria, Selective Coating, Thermal Efficiency},
month = {July},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV10I1-1719801}
}