Optimum temperature and solar radiation periods for Kano using flat plate collector

Author： Waziri N. H. Usman A.M. Enaburekhan J. S.

E-ISSN： 1758-8901|13|4|570-578

ISSN： 1726-0531

Source： Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, Vol.13, Iss.4, 2015-10, pp. : 570-578

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Abstract

<title content-type="abstract-heading">Purpose</title>– The purpose of this paper is to determine the optimum temperature and solar radiation periods from November 2008 to April 2009.<title content-type="abstract-heading">Design/methodology/approach</title>– Four flat plate collectors were constructed and inclined at an angle ß = 0o, Φ°, (Φ + 15)o and (Φ − 15)° tilt angles where Φ is the latitude of the location (12.1o). The tests were conducted for a period of six months spanning from November 2008 to April 2009. Readings were taken for solar radiation, absorber surface temperature and ambient temperature from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on an hourly basis. The amount of solar energy in W/m2 for Kano metropolis, which lies on latitude 12.1°, was determined experimentally.<title content-type="abstract-heading">Findings</title>– It was observed that the maximum temperature was 100°C, and it falls in April at the 12.1° tilt angle followed by 99.9°C and 99.8°C at –2.9° and 0°, respectively, within same month. April is the optimum period having the highest temperature. The maximum solar radiation for the six months recorded was 1070.4 W/m2 and fell on 4th and 8th of February at the 27.1° tilt angle and the highest mean monthly solar radiation was 953.7593W/m2 in November at the 27.1° tilt angle followed by 895.7321 and 888.6286W/m2 in February at the 27.1° and 12.1° tilt angle, respectively.<title content-type="abstract-heading">Research limitations/implications</title>– The research is limited to six-month periods and Kano metropolis.<title content-type="abstract-heading">Originality/value</title>– The research was carried out in the Department of Mechanical Engineering Bayero University Kano, Nigeria.