Thermal Performance of MSFC Hot Air Collectors under Natural and Simulated Conditions

摘要

The procedures used and the results obtained from an evaluation test program conducted to determine the thermal performance and structural characteristics of selected MSFC-designed hot air collectors under both real and simulated environmental conditions are presented. Five collectors, serial numbers 5, 6, 8, 10 and 11, were tested in the three-phased program. Phase one consisted of a series of outdoor tests to determine stagnation temperatures on a typical bright day and to determine each collector's ability to withstand these temperatures. Two of the collectors, S/N's 5 and 6, experienced structural deformation sufficient to eliminate them from the remainder of the test program. Of the three remaining collectors, S/N 10 was selected as the test article for the last two phases of the program. Phase two consisted of a series of outdoor tests to evaluate the thermal performance of collector S/N 10 under certain test conditions. The final phase of the program consisted of a series of indoor tests to evaluate the thermal performance of the collector under closely controlled simulated conditions. (ERA citation 04:007843)