Modeling and Optimization of Evacuated Tubular Solar Thermal Collector

Abstract

Modeling and optimization of evacuated tubular solar thermal collector (ETSTC) is discussed using a modified simple additive weighting (M-SAW) method. To improve the system efficiency (η) and end day temperature (Tsfd), ETSTC parameter (i.e., start day temperature [Tsid], ambient temperature [Tad], global solar radiation on tilted surface [GT], and wind speed [Ws]) are optimized. The applied method is significantly improved the efficiency (η) and determined the best setting for ETSCT. Test no.10 is the optimal experimental trail run and corresponding collector efficiency is obtained as 43%. Further, experimental data are statistically tested via parametric, ANOVA analysis, and found satisfactory and acceptable. Last, confirmatory tests results show comparable and acceptable w.r.t. experimental results for the optimal setting obtained through proposed method. The proposed MCDM method can be recognized as potential use for modeling and optimization of other thermal systems.