A general matrix formulation for beam and diffuse radiative solar transfer is presented for an enclosure containing partially transparent walls. The general theory is used to study the absorption of radiant solar energy in a building sunspace having a south-facing window and a row of opaque vertical cylindrical-tube solar absorbers. A two-dimensional model is formulated for the sunspace in which a typical cylindrical absorber tube is subdivided into a number of uniform elements and the window and sunspace surfaces are each represented as single elements. The matrix expressions are evaluated for incident solar flux conditions typical for a south vertical window on a clear winter day. The results are presented as dimensionless ratios of absorbed-to-incident solar flux as a function of the tube spacing to radius ratio. The spatial distribution of absorbed solar flux is presented at discrete time interals for the cylindrical tube. Space and time-averaged values of absorbed solar flux are also presented for the cylinder, the window, and the room. The potential application of these results for thermal modeling in passive solar applications is discussed.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
February 1985
Research Papers
Application of Transparent Enclosure Theory to Solar Energy Absorption by Cylindrical Tubes in Sunspaces
M. E. McCabe,
M. E. McCabe
Building Equipment Division, Center for Building Technology, National Bureau of Standards, Gaithersburg, Md. 20899
Search for other works by this author on:
M. Van Migom
M. Van Migom
Building Equipment Division, Center for Building Technology, National Bureau of Standards, Gaithersburg, Md. 20899
Search for other works by this author on:
M. E. McCabe
Building Equipment Division, Center for Building Technology, National Bureau of Standards, Gaithersburg, Md. 20899
M. Van Migom
Building Equipment Division, Center for Building Technology, National Bureau of Standards, Gaithersburg, Md. 20899
J. Sol. Energy Eng. Feb 1985, 107(1): 5-9 (5 pages)
Published Online: February 1, 1985
Article history
Received:
November 1, 1983
Online:
November 11, 2009
Citation
McCabe, M. E., and Van Migom, M. (February 1, 1985). "Application of Transparent Enclosure Theory to Solar Energy Absorption by Cylindrical Tubes in Sunspaces." ASME. J. Sol. Energy Eng. February 1985; 107(1): 5–9. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.3267656
Download citation file:
Get Email Alerts
Cited By
Related Articles
Performance Analysis of a Solar-Powered Multi-Effect Refrigeration System
J. Energy Resour. Technol (July,2019)
Power Scavenging and Optical Absorbance Analysis of Photosynthetically Active Protoplasts
J. Energy Resour. Technol (March,2013)
Thermodynamic Analysis of the Volumetric Absorption Solar Collector-Driven Direct Contact Membrane Distillation System
J. Thermal Sci. Eng. Appl (September,2022)
Thermal Radiation in Rayleigh-Be´nard Instability
J. Heat Transfer (February,1990)
Related Proceedings Papers
Related Chapters
A Solar-Driven Absorption Energy Storage System Based on Membrane Distillation Technology
Inaugural US-EU-China Thermophysics Conference-Renewable Energy 2009 (UECTC 2009 Proceedings)
Performance Prediction of Solar Absorption Cooling Systems Assisted by Gas Heaters
Inaugural US-EU-China Thermophysics Conference-Renewable Energy 2009 (UECTC 2009 Proceedings)
Experimental Testing and Modeling of a Micro Solar Thermal Collector with Direct Absorption Nanofluids
Inaugural US-EU-China Thermophysics Conference-Renewable Energy 2009 (UECTC 2009 Proceedings)