Development and testing of a solar air heater for a teaching laboratory

This paper describes the development and testing of an educational solar air heater. The flat-plate solar air heater has been used as a teaching rig for undergraduate students in measurements laboratory sessions, during which the collector efficiency is determined. The results of indoor testing of the solar collector are presented, together with some details of the test facility. It is hoped that use of the solar air heater will contribute to the students understanding of subjects such as energy conversion and utilization and heat transfer, together with instrumentation.