DESIGN AND FABRICATION OF AN EVACUATED TUBE COLLECTOR

ABSTRACT

The design and fabrication of an evaluated tube collector represent a significant advancement in thermal energy systems, aimed at enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of solar thermal energy collection. This project involves the key aspects of the design, fabrication, and performance evaluation of a novel evaluated tube collector. The evaluated tube collector features an innovative tubular design that integrates advanced materials and thermal management technologies. In the fabrication of the evacuated tube solar collector, materials such as the Borosilicate glass tubes, Galvanized steel sheet, Copper pipes, Vacuum pump, Copper condenser heads, charging plugs, Alcohol, Water Aluminum sheets and so on was used. The fabrication process involves precision manufacturing techniques to ensure the high quality and reliability of the evacuated tubes. Key steps include the production of the glass tubes, application of the selective coatings, and assembly of the collector into a functional unit. Advanced techniques such as vacuum pumping and high-temperature processing are employed to ensure the effectiveness of the vacuum insulation and the longevity of the collector. In summary, for both cases, Case 1 (45 degrees) shows a higher temperature increase across the day due to higher solar intensity captured while Case 2 (30 degrees) results in a lower temperature increase, as the effective solar intensity is reduced by about 15%. These results illustrate how the inclination angle affects the performance of solar collectors, highlighting the importance of optimal positioning for energy efficiency.