Coursework December 2022
Coursework December 2022
Coursework December 2022
Department of Physics
PHY 3106 Solar Energy I Course work Due Friday 8th December 2022
Hand in all Numbers but retain a photo copy of your work
Question 1.
𝑛 −𝑛 2
(i) Show that for normal incidence 𝑟∥ = 𝑟⊥ = ( 𝑛𝑟 +𝑛𝑖 )
𝑟 𝑖
(ii) Determine the average reflection coefficient, r at the interface, if the direct solar
radiation is not polarized as in part b(i) above.
(iii) If the parallel transmission coefficient above is given by 𝑡∥ = 1 − 𝑟∥ , Show that
4𝑛𝑖 𝑛𝑟
𝑡∥ = (𝑛𝑖 +𝑛𝑟 )2
(iv) If the light is now traveling from air to glass (ng =1.52). determine the values of
𝑟∥ and 𝑟⊥ above at normal incidence.
(c) (i) Explain why the transmittance of a glazing is always less then unity.
(ii) An array whose power is 5.149 𝑘𝑊ℎ𝑑𝑎𝑦 −1 , is 73% efficient. If the average daily
insolation intercepted is15 𝑘𝑊ℎ𝑚−2 𝑑𝑎𝑦 −1.Estimate the number of panels in the
array if each panel has an area of 0.15 m2.
Question 6
(a) (i) When is a solar heating panel said to be active?
(ii) Draw a well labeled cross sectional diagram of a flat plate solar panel.
(b) A single- glazed flat plate has a plate to glazing transfer coefficient, 𝑢̅𝑝−𝑔 = 6.5 W/m2 0C,
and a glazing-to-air coefficient 𝑢̅𝑔−𝑢 = 9.82W/m2 0C.
(i) Determine the overall transfer coefficient for the panel.
(ii) Determine the stagnation temperature and glazing temperature when the absorbed
solar flux is 𝐹𝑎𝑏𝑠 = 416𝑊𝑚−2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑇𝑎 = 00 𝐶
(c) On the same axes, sketch graphs of (𝑇𝑝−𝑠 − 𝑇𝑎 ) and (𝑇𝑔−𝑠 − 𝑇𝑎 ) against Fabs
(d) Briefly explain the principle of a thermocouple.
Question 7.
(a) Define the following terms,
(i) Photosphere,
(ii) Chromosphere,
(iii) Incident spectral flux, F(i)λ
(b) Draw a labeled simplified diagram of the sun.
(c) (i) Draw a graph to show the emission spectrum against the wavelength of a black,
grey and a real body at 6,000 K.
𝑥 𝑎𝑑𝑥 ℎ𝑐
(ii) Given 𝑓𝜆 (𝑇) = 𝑓(𝑥) = ∫0 ( 𝑏 ) where 𝑎 = 2𝜋ℎ𝑐 2 and b = 𝑘
. Determine
𝜎𝑥5 (𝑒𝑥 −1)
𝑏
an expression for the Stefan Boltzmann constant, o, provided that 𝑏 = 𝑥, f(x) → 1
∞ 𝑢3 𝑑𝑢 ℼ4
and ∫𝜎 = 15
𝑢 𝑒𝑢 −1
Question 8.
(a) With reference to labelled diagrams, briefly explain the following seasonal variation terms
(i) Autumnal equinox,
(ii) Vernal equinox,
(iii) Winter solstice.
(b) (i) Draw the entire electromagnetic spectrum showing all possible wavelengths.
(ii) Explain what meant by black body emission
(c) Describe the nature of earth's orbit around the sun stating any assumptions made.
Question 9.
(a) (i) Explain what is meant by Solar day.
(ii) 1f the earth rotated on its axis but did not revolve about the sun, show that the
frequency of rotation, is given as frot = 1.16 x 10-5 rev/second.
(iii) Assuming the earth’s orbit is circular, considering the effect of the revolution of
the earth about the sun when the earth is not rotating at all, show that the frequency
of revolution, is given as frev = 3.17 x 10-8 rev/second and determine the net
frequency, fnet and the effective period T.
(b) (i) Define luminosity.
(ii) When is the luminosity (total radiant power) emitted equally in all directions of
space?
(iii) Define the divergence of the radiation.
Question 10
(a) (i) Define the term radiation.
(ii) State the law of conduction.
(b) An absorber plate in a flat plate collector is operating at a temperature of T = 80°C and
rests on 15 cm of fiber glass insulation (Kf = 0.05 w/m 0C), which is itself supported by a
plywood sheet ( Kw = 0.08 w/m 0C) of thickness 1.25 cm. If the temperature of the exterior
face of the plywood is at 250C, find the heat flux rate conducted through the back face of
the collector.
(c) (i) Define the U- value of a conducting material.
(ii) Given two long concentric cylindrical surfaces of radii rin and rout at temperatures
Tin and Tout as shown below, show that the heat flow rate is given by
2𝜋𝐿𝐾(T𝑖𝑛 − T𝑜𝑢𝑡 )
𝑄= r .
ln( 𝑜𝑢𝑡 )
r𝑖𝑛
(iii) Determine an expression for the heat flow rate per unit length.
Question 11
(a) (i) State the preferred optical properties which determine the operation of a
Concentrator solar heating panel.
(ii) For an active liquid - type flat plate, show that the overall efficiency is given by
𝐽𝑐 𝐹𝑎𝑏𝑠 𝐽𝑐
η = 𝐹𝑖𝑛𝑐 = 𝐹𝑖𝑛𝑐 = 𝐹𝑎𝑏𝑠 = ηther x ηopt
Question 12.
(ii) Derive the Stefan - Boltzmann’s law and Wiens displacement law from planks law
explaining all the symbols used.
(c) If the Sun was to cool down to Tθ= 2500 K, estimate the total flux, Fθ and the total radiant
power, Pθ, and hence the Solar constant, S at mean earth- Sun distance of r = 2.93 x1011m.
Question 13.
(a) with the aid of diagrams, write short notes on the following terms
(iii) What happens when the electromagnetic radiation is incident on the surface of a
body?
Question 14.
Question 15.
(i) Conduction
(ii) Convection
(b) Distinguish between characteristics materials that are undergoing conduction and
Convection.
(c) A concrete wall (Ko = 0.84 w/m°C) is [3m x 4mk 3Scm thick. The temperatures of the
interior and exterior surfaces are at 36 °C and 12 °C respectively.
(i) Determine the rate at which heat flows through the wall.
(ii) Determine the heat flux J, conducted through the above concrete wall.
(iii) Determine the thermal conductivity per unit length (U-Value) for the concrete.
(d) If a sheet of ply-wood (Ko = 0.2 w/m °C) of thickness 2.25 cm is placed face to face with
the concrete in part (c) above,
(ii) Determine the heat flux rate of the combined system if the temperature through the
back face of the plywood is 5 0C.
Question 16.
(a) (i) Explain the principle of operation of a flat solar heating panel
(b) Given the parallel and perpendicular polarization states to the plane of incidence
respectively as,
𝑛𝑟2 cos 𝑖−𝑛𝑖 √𝑛𝑟2 −𝑛𝑖2 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝑖 𝑛𝑖 cos 𝑖−√𝑛𝑟2 −𝑛𝑖2 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝑖
𝑟∥ = { } and 𝑟⊥ = { }
𝑛𝑟2 cos 𝑖+ 𝑛𝑖 √𝑛𝑟2 −𝑛𝑖2 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝑖 𝑛𝑖 cos 𝑖+ √𝑛𝑟2 −𝑛𝑖2 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝑖
Question 17
(ii) Draw a well labeled cross sectional diagram of a flat plate solar panel.
(b) A single- glazed flat plate has a plate to glazing transfer coefficient Up-g = 6.5w/m2 0C, and
a glazing-to-air coefficient Ug-u = 9.82w/m2 0C.
(ii) Find the stagnation temperature and glazing temperature when the absorbed solar
flux is Fabs = 416w/m2 and Ta =00C
Question 18.
(a) What are the possible short comings of using tracking concentrators as compared to flat
plates.
(b) (i) Calculate the power required to heat 108 kg of tap water per day from 110C to 520C
(ii) If the array to provide the heating is 73% efficient in part b(i) above, and that the
average daily insolation intercepted is 15 kwh/m2day. Estimate the number of
panels in an array if each panel has an area of 0. 15 m2.
(iii) Explain the advantages of using wider area panels in the construction of a Solar
panel.
Question 19.
(a) With diagrams briefly explain the processes that occur in the following regions of the sun.
(i) Photosphere,
(ii) Chromosphere,
(c) Sketch graph showing the emission spectrum against the wavelength of a black, grey and
a real body at 6,000 K.
Question 20.
(b) Explain how the total radiant power emitted from the sun is equally in all directions of
space?
(c) Explain the concept of divergence of the radiation from the sun.
(e) An absorber plate in a flat plate collector is operating at a temperature of T = 80°C and
rests on 15 cm of fiber glass insulation (Kf = 0.05 w/m 0C), which is itself supported by a
plywood sheet (Kw = 0.08 w/m 0C) of thickness 1.25 cm. If the temperature of the exterior
face of the plywood is at 250C, find the heat flux rate conducted through the back face of
the collector.
Question 21
(a) A plastic pipe (Kp= 0.8w/m0C) is carrying water at 60 °C from a solar heating panel. The
inner and the outer radii are 0.5 cm and 0.75 cm respectively. The pipe is wrapped with a
cylindrical sponge (K1, 0.04 w/m 0C) insulation to a radius of 1.5 cm. If the outer surface
of the insulation is at 250C, Determine
(i) The U - value per unit length of the pipe, ULpipe and of the insulation ULins
(iii) Calculate the heat conduction rate per unit length QL.
(b) (i) Explain the conditions upon which the amount of heat transferred from a heated
(ii) Describe a single current heat exchanger process, and determine an expression for
the rate at which the heat is extracted by the fluid.
Question 22.
(a) (i) Briefly explain the factors that determine the size of an array.
(ii) Explain the difference in operation when solar heating panels are arranged in Series,
in Parallel array, and in the Combination of the two.
(b) A single solar heating panel uses water (Cf, = 4186 J/ kg°C) as the transfer fluid flowing at
m = 0.005 kg/s. It enters the panel at 20 °C and leaves at 50 °C. The fluid is carried to a
storage tank by an exterior pipe 10 m long whose overall heat transfer coefficient per unit
length is UL, = 0.2 w/m°C. The ambient temperature, Ta = 15°C.
Question 23.
(a) (i) Explain with diagrams reflection and refraction of e/m radiation takes place
(ii) State any FIVE properties of the radiation at the upper and lower surfaces of the
atmosphere.
(b) (i) Why is it necessary to use more than one glazing in solar heating panels?
(ii) How is the overall transmittance obtained for a double glazing?
(c) Compare and contrast between the advantages of using concentrating solar collectors as
compared to the flat plates.
END