Uji Performansi Pemanas Air Kolektor Surya Plat Bergelombang Kapasitas Tangki 30 Liter dengan 3 Variasi Kecepatan Aliran Air

Abstract

As energy demand rises and fossil fuel reserves deplete, utilizing solar energy through Solar Water Heaters (SWH) has become an environmentally friendly alternative solution. This study aims to analyze the thermal performance of a corrugated plate solar collector with a 30-liter tank capacity and to determine the effect of water flow rate variations on collector efficiency. The corrugated absorber plate was selected to increase the heat transfer surface area and create flow turbulence to maximize heat absorption. The research method used was experimental, varying water flow rates at 2 LPM, 3 LPM, and 5 LPM during the testing period from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM WIB. The results showed that the system was able to heat water to a maximum temperature of 65.4°C within 2 hours under high radiation conditions. The highest collector efficiency recorded was 70.8%, with useful energy ((Q_use) of 3,292,708 Joules during testing without flow variation14. In the flow rate variation tests, it was found that a flow rate of 5 LPM produced higher average efficiency, ranging from 32.2% to 44.21%, compared to the 2 LPM flow rate, which had an efficiency range of 20.3% to 34.16%. Increasing the flow rate proved effective in improving thermal efficiency as it maintained a lower absorber plate temperature, thereby minimizing heat losses (Q_loss) to the environment, despite a smaller temperature rise (∆T) per circulation.