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.
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.
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 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.
