SOLAR AIR HEATERS for Enabling Once Through Solar Air Heating for a Wider Range of Applications

Subcategory (under Clean Energy): Cross Cutting
Technology Readiness Level (TRL): TRL 8 - First of a kind commercial
Technology Outline (Process Description)

Light-Weight Low-Cost, Efficient Solar Air Heating for Grid Independent Operation deployable as Roof of the Facility

Designed using novel light weight corrugated extruded sections to enable high temperature rise on the air side while keeping the air side pressure drops very low

Multi-Wall PC Top Covers glass-less UV stable multi-wall polycarbonate top cover reduces top loss and ensures high efficiency while delivering high hot air delivery temperatures along with increased durability while reducing weight and cost

Multi-Wall Extruded Absorber enhances heat transfer while maintaining very low air side pressure drop

Multi-Layer Composite Insulation reduces heat loss from the bottom while serving as a durable back cover and internal duct along with stiffening the collector panel without use of metal frames

Salient Features/Advantages

  • Novel Design Enhances Efficiency by Reducing Losses Comprises of Multi-Wall Plastic Top Cover, Corrugated Aluminium Absorber and Multi-Layer Composite Insulation
  • Air Side Pressure Drop        1.6 to 5 mm H2O
  • Efficiency Air Heaters         60 to 80%  based on Global Radiation
  • Applications
  • Space Heating for Rural, Residential, Commercial and Industrial Applications
  • Agro Produce Drying, Industrial Drying, Organic Waste Drying Cloth Drying Residential as well as in Laundromats
  • Industrial Air Heating or Pre-heating like Paint Shops Air Heating, Milk Drying in Diary, Waste Water Vaporisation, etc.

Key Outcomes

  • Hot Air Temperatures             50oC with -30oC Inlet,  120oC with 30oC Inlet 

  • Light Weight                            7.5 to 12 kg/m2

  • Size (L x W x D all in m)            1.2 to 5 x 1.22 x 0.087

  • Grid Independent Operation 20 m2 SAH using 1 m2 PV Powered Fan for Once-Through Air Heating 

  • Cost Effective                         INR 7,500 to 9,500/m2

  • Early Payback                       75 to 240 days typical Drying: Naga-Chillies 75 days; Ginger 240 days

IP Protection details

  • Patent filed (Title, national/International): Solar Air Heater 4209MUM2014
  • Patents Granted: Solar Flat Plate Fluid Heating Device IP234778 986MUM2004
  • Copyrights obtained /progress on commercialisation /Pl. specify connect with industry: Licensed Solar Air Heater for Organic Waste Composting Machine to Lahs Eco Engineering, Thane

Contact details (for more information)

  • Nodal Person name: Milind V Rane, Phd
  • Email ID: ranemv@iitb.ac.in
  • Organisation name (Relevant link/web page): Heat Pump Laboratory at IIT Bombay, HPL_IITB
Supporting Photographs/Images

Organizations involved in the development (logo/name)

Heat Pump Laboratory at IIT Bombay, HPL_IITB

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