Performance assessment of rotating spiral-shaped baffles built-in solar air heater: 4E and sustainability analysis
Yogeshkumar D. Khimsuriya, D. K. Patel, Vivek Patel, Vinay Pandit, Hashim Sahar Mohaisen, Lav Kumar Kaushik, Pranav Mehta, H. S. Patel
Abstract
Solar air heaters (SAHs) often face efficiency limitations due to heat transfer challenges. Integrating roughness elements on the absorber plate is a common strategy, but stationary roughness induces hot spots and thermal wake zones, hindering convective heat transfer. To mitigate these issues, this study investigates a modified SAH with novel rotating spiral-shaped baffles using a 4E framework—energy, exergy, exergoeconomic, and enviroeconomic perspectives. Results demonstrate superior performance, with configurations at P/e = 8 and e/H = 0.8 achieving peak useful heat gains of 156.78 W. The modified SAH attains daily average thermal, exergy, and thermohydraulic efficiencies of 29.55 %, 14.59 %, and 7.24 %, respectively. Exergoeconomic analysis yields a maximum parameter of 0.36 kWh/$ over 30 years, while enviroeconomic assessments indicate a reduction in CO 2 emissions from 17.14 to 5.71 kg/year, with carbon credit earnings between $102.86 and $308.57. Future research can further enhance performance through novel storage media, optimized baffle design, intelligent controls, and advanced heat exchangers.