Parametric Optimization of Solar Assisted ...

This study involves utilization of solar energy through the use of the solar collectors combined with the heat exchanger to keep the digestor at the optimum temperature throughout the year. The thermal and economic analysis of 2m3 solar heated biogas plant has been carried out and the effect of operating parameters on commulative solar savings is investigated. This is done by calculating the losses from the digestor and compensating these losses by using solar energy. Investigation has been carried out on the thermal and economic aspects of solar heated biogas plant to arrive at the optimal size of solar system. A design procedure has been proposed to arrive at the optimum value of solar collector area. It was concluded that increasing collector unit cost results in decreasing commulative solar saving. Plots have been prepared to represent the optimum solar collector area.