The Government College of Engineering, Kannur (GCE, Kannur), has taken a major step towards enhancing sustainable energy education with the installation of a cutting-edge Solar Thermal (FPC) Training System by Ecosense. This advanced system provides students with hands-on experience in solar thermal technology, bridging the gap between theoretical concepts and practical implementation. The initiative reinforces the college's commitment to equipping future engineers with the expertise needed to excel in the fast-growing renewable energy sector.
Ecosense’s Solar Thermal Training System
The Solar Thermal Training System is a scaled model of a real-world water heating system, designed for characterization and various heat transfer analyses. The system allows for the demonstration of crucial parameters such as efficiency, overall heat loss coefficient, and heat removal factor, all of which can be calculated using the setup. A standout feature of this system is the ability to perform experiments under varying wind speeds, fluid temperatures, and flow rates.
The system is modular, consisting of three main components:
1. Main Collector System: Features a flat plate collector equipped with temperature and flow sensors to measure fluid dynamics.
2. Measuring Unit: A measurement panel that displays key parameters.
3. Artificial Light Unit: A Halogen lamp panel that uniformly illuminates the flat plate collector, allowing experiments to be conducted indoors without depending on weather conditions.
The artificial light feature ensures that users can perform experiments consistently, regardless of environmental changes. The system’s modular and scalable design enables easy mobility in and out of the lab, allowing users to conduct experiments with both artificial light and natural sunlight. This flexibility helps students study and understand the operation of a flat plate collector water heating system in its two modes of operation.
In addition, the system enhances students' practical understanding of various technical aspects, including overall heat loss coefficient, heat removal factor, and efficiency under different conditions like radiation levels, wind speed, and inclination angle. The inbuilt sensors track parameters such as pressure, temperature, and flow rate at various points in the system, and a data logging device automatically records and stores the readings for analysis.
Ecosense installed Solar Thermal Training System at GCE, Kannur
Demonstration of Equipment Conducted
Ecosense engineers conducted a detailed demonstration and training session on the system for the faculty members and students of the Department of Mechanical Engineering. The session highlighted how to optimize results and get the most out of the system's capabilities.
The Way Forward
Faculty members and students at GCE, Kannur, expressed their enthusiasm for working with the new lab equipment. Professors will continue to conduct experiments to further familiarize themselves with the system and incorporate this setup into their regular curriculum. This installation marks a significant leap in integrating advanced solar technology into engineering education, preparing students to be leaders in the renewable energy industry.
Ecosense installed Solar Thermal Training System at GCE, Kannur
Glimpses of Demonstration