A Novel Steady State Analysis Algorithm For Annual Thermal Efficiency Modeling of A Flat Plate Solar Air Heater in Urmia Climate

The main issue of the study of solar energy potential which could be used for agro-food industrial consumption is the thermal efficiency modeling of these systems. A novel calculation algorithm based on steady state thermal analysis is presented for thermal performance study of a typical Flat Plate Solar Air Heater (FPSAH) in Urmia climate all the year around in 2009. Hence, the Urmia climate condition in 2009 was selected as work condition of FPSAH in modeling. The real and hourly data of ambient temperature and solar radiation which was recorded in Urmia airport meteorological station were used. The optimum tilt angles of FPSAH were applied in model. A calculating algorithm was developed for modeling and ran in MATLAB. The useful thermal gain, the thermal efficiency and the outlet temperature of FPSAH were considered as three parameters representing the thermal performance of a FPSAH. The result was presented as monthly averaged values at different radiation hour during the day, in the form of diagram and color counters. Some estimations of the extractable heat in different months of year, was achieved. This research results will be the first step of an optimized design and construction of a FPSAH supporting the real annual heat demand in Urmia climate.