[mahendrark]

Hey guys!

I have very basic experience with ANSYS Fouent (worked on some airfoil, pipe flow simulation before) and I am trying to do CFD analysis (mainly the heat transfer rates achievable) for a flat plate solar thermal collector.

As part of this work, first I am beginning with a simple 2D simulation of the same. The side view of the collector is shown below. I am ignoring the manifolds, insulation and other parts, as well as the liquid flow through it. So for now, just interested in the circulation of air in the air gap between the glazing and the absorber plate (natural convection, etc.). It need not be precise. Just a rough solution.



I am assuming a source term at the absorber plate (say, 800 W/m2 which is something like 80% of the incident solar radiation 1000 W/m2).

Can I just make the geometry as exactly shown in this picture and mesh it?
I am little bit confused about setting up the flow physics in this. What model (energy right?), and boundary conditions should I be using etc. Please guide me with that.

The K stands for convective heat transfer, S for radiative heat transfer and L for the various heat losses.

If anyone has any relevant tutorial links, please post them here in the comments. Would be of much help.