Temperature funtion along X of a solar collector

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on deriving the temperature as a function of the length (x) of a solar heat collector. The collector has specific parameters, including a heat transfer rate of 500 W/m² and air properties such as a specific heat capacity of 1000 J/(kg*K) and a mass flow rate of 0.02 kg/s. The total heat transfer equation incorporates heat lost to the ambient and heat transferred to the air within the collector. The user seeks assistance in setting up the differential equation necessary to solve for temperature distribution along the collector. The correct solution for the temperature function is provided as T = 15 + 52.8*[1-e^(-0.474 x)].
Wildcat04
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Homework Statement



1m wide solar heat collector that is x long. Find the temperature as a function of x.

500 W/m^2 transferred from the collector to the air within the collector, 100%.

Air enters the collector has the following properties:
cp = 1000 J/(kg*K)
m = 0.02 kg/s
T= 15C

Ambient Air T = 15C

Convective heat transfer coefficients
Heat air to film = 45 W(m^2*K)
Film to ambient = 12 W/(m^2*K)

Homework Equations



0 = qtot - qair + qconv
qtot - total heat transfer
qair = heat transfer to the air in the collector
qconv = heat lost to ambient through the film via convection

1/htot = 1 / h1 + 1 / h2

qair = m * cp * Area * (Tx - Ti)

qconv = htot * Area * (Tx - Tinf)


The Attempt at a Solution



1/htot = 1 / 12 + 1 / 45
htot = 9.47 W/(m^2*k)

Area = 1m * x
Area = x

qair = 0.02 * 1000 * x * (Tx - Ti)
qair = 20x*(Tx - Ti)

qconv = 9.47x * (Tx - Tinf)

Now comes where I am getting stuck. I know that I need to set up a differential equation, however it has been quite a while since I have taken the class and I am having trouble getting it set up properly to arrive at the correct solutionn

Correct solution: T = 15 + 52.8*[1-e^(-.474 x)]

Any prod in the right direction would be greatly appriciated!
 
Last edited:
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