54 Int. J. Exergy, Vol. 25, No.

1, 2018

Exergy analysis of evacuated tube solar collectors:

a review

Gaurav Saxena* and Manoj Kumar Gaur

Department of Mechanical and Automobile Engineering,
Madhav Institute of Technology and Science,
Gole ka Mandir, Gwalior, MP, 474005, India
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
*Corresponding author
Abstract: The most recent studies show that different methodologies have been
adopted to understand the concept of Exergy in general and exergy efficiency,
exergy destruction, exergy losses, etc. in particular. The present paper reviews
the concept of evacuated tube solar water heating systems (SWHSs) followed
by fundamental laws of thermodynamics necessary to provide the concept
of exergy analysis in detail. Mathematical modelling and experimental
data provide the effect of mass flow rate, temperature gradient, inlet
temperature, outlet temperature, collector efficiency, etc. on exergy.
Finally, the exergy analysis and exergetic efficiencies along with exergy
destruction sources for the evacuated tube collectors are presented.

Keywords: solar energy; ETC; evacuated tube collector; exergy analysis;

exergy efficiency; SWHS; solar water heating system.

Reference to this paper should be made as follows: Saxena, G. and

Gaur, M.K. (2018) ‘Exergy analysis of evacuated tube solar collectors: a
review’, Int. J. Exergy, Vol. 25, No. 1, pp.54–74.

Biographical notes: Gaurav Saxena is an Assistant Professor at RJIT, Border

Security Force Academy, Tekanpur (M.P.), India. He obtained his
BE (Mechanical) and MTech (Production) from M.I.T.S., Gwalior. Currently,
he is pursuing his PhD in Solar Energy under the guidance of Dr. M.K. Gaur
from M.I.T.S., Gwalior. His area of research interest is the integration of
PV and evacuated tube technologies in solar dryers. During his 10 years of
teaching, he has published several research papers in the journals and
conferences of international repute and guided several post graduation research.

Manoj Kumar Gaur is working as an Associate Professor and Head of

the Department of Mechanical and Automobile Engineering at Madhav Institute
of Technology and Science Gwalior (MITS) (an Autonomous Government
aided Institute, Madhya Pradesh, India). He has done his PhD from Indian
Institute of Technology Delhi on “Development of Heat and Mass Transfer
Coefficients/ Correlations for High-Performance Solar Distillation Systems”.
He possesses
15 years of teaching experience of Post Graduate and Under Graduate students.
His broad area of interest includes thermodynamics, heat transfer, solar energy
and solar distillation.

Copyright © 2018 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.

55 Exergy
G. Saxena
analysis
and M.K.
of evacuated
Gaur tube solar collectors: a review 55

1 Introduction

The solar energy is the most promising source of energy. It is an easily available source of
renewable energy on earth as the earth receives millions of watts of energy every day
coming from solar radiation. As a fact, only a fraction of it in the form of daylighting and
photosynthesis is used by the natural world, one-third is reflected back into space and the
rest absorbed by land, oceans and clouds. Solar energy as an available, cheap, and
environmentally friendly alternative source has been the subject of many theoretical and
experimental studies (Saidur et al., 2012). Hence, there are particular challenges in the
effective tracking of solar energy by sun through the direct medium. So, solar collectors
have to be used for the efficient and novel use of solar energy and storage of solar energy.
Solar collectors are the existing element for tracking sun rays which are then turned into
thermal energy and uproot to a primary heat transfer fluid consequently. Therefore solar
collectors are termed as the fundamental element of any solar system (Singh et al., 2013).
There are mainly two types of solar collectors stationary (non-concentrating collectors)
and tracking (concentrating collectors) (Kalogirou, 2004). Figure 1 shows the
classification of solar collectors.

Figure 1 Classification of solar collectors (see online version for colours)

The present paper gives emphasis to the method and outcomes of exergy analysis
of Evacuated tube collector (ETC), in fact, presently several researchers are using
this analysis in almost all applications of solar energy system for analysing the
performance characteristic. Some recent and significant application of exergy
analysis as a photovoltaic system, solar combi-systems, solar air and water heating
systems etc are briefly discussed here. Acar and Dincer (2016) investigated
Exergetic performance assessment of an integrated solar energy system with five
outputs, namely electricity, heat, hot water, cooling, and air conditioning
(humidifying/dehumidifying) for residential use. The findings showed the maximum
exergy efficiency for the overall system. Joshi et al. (2014) worked on solar exergy
maps for photovoltaic/thermal systems. The experimentation work was carried out at
five different climatic conditions of India and nine different climatic conditions of
USA. The comparative analysis of average exergy was used to determine the
climatic conditions and month in which optimum results are obtained. Kaçan and
Ulgen (2014) performed Energy and exergy analysis
of solar combi-systems in Turkey during January. As a result, assessments showed
that solar combi-systems were applicable and smart solution to save energy besides this
saving in energy and maximum instantaneous efficiency of the collector was determined.
Karakilcik et al. (2013) carried out an experimental investigation of the exergetic
performance of a solar pond integrated with solar collectors. They used density
and temperature to determine energy efficiency and compared it with exergy efficiency of
the integrated solar pond (ISP). The solar pond was analysed for three heat zones viz.
upper convective zone (UCZ), nonconvective zone (NCZ) and heat storage zone
(HSZ). The design integrated with four flat plate collectors (FPCs) for storing
energy in HSZ. Performance of ISP was evaluated with respect to a number of the
integrated collector. Kaze and Tchinda (2012) evaluated an exergetic analysis of a
downward FPC, an unglazed selective absorber collectors and an artificial rough
surface collector. They conduct the computational analysis. The results showed that
under the turbulent regime, the increase in Reynolds no. result in a decrease of outlet fluid
temperature. The highest exergy efficiency occurred in rough surface absorber
whereas lower exergy efficiency occurs for the smooth duct. Ozturk et al. (2012)
investigated thermodynamic and life cycle assessment of FPC, a photovoltaic system
and photovoltaic thermal collector. The results of the analysis were used to determine
maximum daily energy efficiency, major exergy efficiency of the systems under
investigation. Kaymak and Sahin (2011) assessed exergy analysis of solar irradiation
of different layers in the atmosphere through temperature profile. Database of monthly
average global solar irradiation and temperature measurements of the specific place was
used for estimation of exergy values at different levels of the atmosphere. The findings
show the altitude height under which the variations of solar irradiation exergy
values is maximum and suggested the end of mesopause or beginning of the
thermosphere the most convenient level of atmosphere for construction of solar PV or
the thermal power stations. Luminosu and Fara (2005) experimentally conducted a
Thermodynamic analysis of an air solar collector to determine the optimum air
flow rate. The relative errors related to exergy efficiency found to be bigger than
those related to energy efficiency but considering the complexity of the relations and the
low value of the quantities, they considered as acceptable.
The review of the discussed researches shows the broader area of application
of exergy analysis in the field of energy systems. The present paper is specifically focused
on relative advantages and exergy analysis of different types of ETCs. Various
solar collectors configurations can help to obtain a large range of temperatures for
example
20–80°C (Sharma and Diaz, 2011) is the operating temperature range for FPCs
and properly designed ETCs can help in obtaining higher temperature range, for example,
the temperature range is in between 50–200°C. FPCs are simple in construction, utilise
the beam as well as diffuse radiation and do not require tracking (Kalogirou, 2013; Tyagi
et al., 2012).These types of solar collectors are the most popular types of solar devices for
low-temperature applications, but in comparison with ETCs, they have
comparatively low efficiency and outlet temperatures. Major drawbacks of FPCs
over ETCs are as follows:
convection heat loss through glass cover from collector plate
absence of sun tracking etc.
Hence, ETCs are considered more advantageous than FPCs.
57 Exergy
G. Saxena
analysis
and M.K.
of evacuated
Gaur tube solar collectors: a review 57

2 Evacuated tube solar collector (ETSC) system

2.1 Construction and working principle

Evacuated tube collectors are made up of rows of parallel, transparent glass tubes. Each
tube consists of a glass outer tube and an inner tube, or absorber, covered with a selective
coating that absorbs solar energy well but inhibits radiative heat loss (Johari et al., 2012;
Patel et al., 2012). The air is withdrawn (‘evacuated’) from the space between the tubes to
form a vacuum, which eliminates conductive and convective heat loss. They are
most suited to extremely cold ambient temperatures or in situations of consistently low-
light. ETCs is suitable for industrial applications, where high water temperatures or steam
need to be generated where they become more cost-effective (Yadav and Tripathi,
2016). Figure 2 shows the sectional view of ETC (Apricus Evacuated Tube Solar Water
Heater System, 2017).

Figure 2 Sectional view of ETC (see online version for colours)

The system consists of evacuated vacuum tubes solar collector (ETSC) and is attached to
one highly insulated water tank. The Evacuated tubes are designed such that the
cold water enters in and when sunshine falls on it hot water moves up. Figure 3
shows the working principle of direct flow Evacuated tube solar collector (Apricus
Evacuated Tube Solar Water Heater System, 2017). The heated water moves up and
stored in the insulated water tank due to the decrease of density and the fresh water
reaches the solar collector by natural thermo siphon (natural flow). This process
carries automatically till the sunshine is available. The hot water in the tank will
have a heat retain for two days (Sahabjisolar, 2016).

2.2 Classification of ETSC

Available types of evacuated tube solar collectors can be categorised into two groups as:
single-walled glass evacuated tube
Dewar tube.
There are many variations of the two basic types; for instance, heat extraction can
be through a U-pipe, heat pipe or direct liquid contact (Gao et al., 2013). Figure 4 shows
the types of Evacuated tube solar collectors. Kim and Seo (2007) investigated the
thermal performance of an ETSC with four different shaped absorbers both
experimentally and numerically. Four different shapes are finned tube (Model I),
tube welded inside a circular fin (Model II), U tube welded on a copper plate (Model
III) and U tube welded inside a rectangular duct (Model IV) as shown in Figure 5.

Figure 3 Working principle of ETC (see online version for colours)

Figure 4 Types of ETSCs (see online version for colours)

Dewar tube is another popular design of ETSC which is made of two thin borosilicate
glass walls that form the inner and outer tubes. A selective absorbance coating is
deposited on the outside wall of the inner tube to collect solar energy, and the
layer between the inner and outer tubes is evacuated to reduce heat loss. Water in
glass evacuated tube solar collectors (WGETSC) is currently most widely used for
solar
hot-water systems than the Dewar tube with a U-pipe or heat pipe inserted (UPETSC)
because of its lower price. UPETSC was developed based on improving the WGETSC. A
U-pipe (generally copper piping with diameter 8–10 mm) and aluminium fins are
inserted into the interior cavity of the tube. The key difference is that each evacuated-tube
of a WGETSC is filled with working fluid and fluid is only contained in the U-pipe of a
UPETSC. Fluid flows in the U-pipe to absorb and carry away the useful energy as shown
in Figure 6 (Gao et al., 2013).

Figure 5 Schematic cross-sectional views of (a) Models-I; (b) Model-II; (c) Model-III and
(d) Model-IV

2.3 Advantages of ETSC

Figure 7 shows the comparison between FPC and ETC (Sahabjisolar, 2016). There are
two types of solar collector: ETC and FPC. The solar radiation incident on the FPC is not
always perpendicular to the sun. Whereas a greater amount of solar radiations is tracked
by the ETCs due to their cylindrical cross-section. However, when the sun moves in an
arc through the sky, the FPC’s effective area become smaller and as the ETCs are
cylindrical, the area presented toward the sun remains same.
Figure 6 Schematic cross-sectional views of Dewar Tube ETSCs: (a) water-in-glass
evacuated-tube (WGET) and (b) U-pipe evacuated-tube (UPET)

Figure 7 Comparison between ETC and FPC (see online version for colours)

The leading advantages of ETCs are as follows:

ETCs can gather more energy from Sun (Mangal et al., 2010).
The efficiency of an evacuated tube solar water heater is better than FPCs during
cold ambient temperatures.
Evacuated tube technology is cost-effective.
Under challenging climatic conditions ETCs shall provide more even output
throughout the year.
 Evacuated tubes are strong and long-lasting. Owing to mishandling or minor
accident, if a tube of an ETC gets broken then it requires just the replacement of the
single broken tube which is cheaper whereas in case of FPC complete system need a
replacement, making it costlier (Sabiha et al., 2015).
As ETSCs have natural frost protection, without any damage ETSCs can be used in
sub-zero temperatures where as antifreeze systems need to be installed for flat plate
panels under same operating temperatures which make it complicated and expensive.
Regular replacement is required for the glycol used in flat plate systems as it can
cause damage by freezing. The glycol needs to be replaced every few years
(generally three years) and adds to the recurring cost. In addition, leaking might
happen while replacing glycol or due to damage of flat panel by storms which is an
added risk.

2.4 Limitations of ETSC

The limitations of ETCs are as follows;
Evacuated tubes are made of borosilicate glass due to this ETSCs are fragile in
nature. Therefore, extra care must be taken while transporting or handling ETSCs.
ETCs produce very high temperatures so care must be taken while its use for
domestic applications. However, for commercial applications, ETCs are more
versatile as it provides water at a relatively high temperature essential for industrial
processes.
ETCs do not shed snow as the collector surface is not always warm, the tubes are the
insulator in nature and the collector surface is irregular which lets the snow stick on
tubes for a long time. As the glass tubes are fragile, it is not possible to scrape off the
accumulated snow which might make the system ineffective. So, care must be taken
while using ETCs in extreme cold conditions. (Sabiha et al., 2015).
Exergy analysis of ETC is carried out with solar water heating systems (SWHSs),
in which SWHS is one of the major component analysed for exergy analysis,
therefore Exergy analysis of ETC, their applications, and suitability in solar thermal
engineering systems are discussed in the present paper. The previous studies on
exergy analysis of ETC are mainly related to their suitability and performance in
various applications. Therefore, this review mainly investigates an exergy analysis of
ETC research carried out at educational and scientific institutes by researchers
for domestic and industrial applications.

3 Mathematical modelling for exergy analysis

Exergy analysis of ETC is carried out to provide most suitable and significant outcomes
in the field of research work. The word exergy was introduced by Rant in 1956 and in
terms of thermodynamics “Exergy is the maximum amount of useful work possible
during a process that brings the system into equilibrium with a heat reservoir or
surrounding” (Ersöz, 2016; Farahat et al., 2009; Kotas, 2013 and Tadese and
Tesema,
2014). Exergy has the characteristic that it is conserved only when all processes occurring
in a system and the environment are reversible. Exergy is destroyed whenever an
irreversible process occurs (Dincer and Rosen, 2012).
The analyses based on two methodologies are used to investigate the performance of
ETC systems: the first law of thermodynamic (energy efficiency), and the second law of
thermodynamic (exergy efficiency). Based on the first law of thermodynamic, the energy
efficiency for all-glass evacuated solar collectors is defined as:
Q
u
th , (1)
Ap Seff

where Seff is the effective insolation coefficient on a single tube (Ataee and Ameri, 2015).
The useful heat gain (Qu) by the working fluid for the presented systems is calculated as
follows:
Qu m Cp (Tout Tin ). (2)
In this equation, Tin, Tout, Cp, m , are the fluid inlet temperature, fluid outlet temperature,
heat capacity and mass flow rate of the agent fluid, respectively.
In order to do exergy analysis, a general exergy balance equation is written as
E in E out E dest , (3)

where E in , E out , E dest are the total exergy input, total exergy output and total
exergy destruction rates respectively.
The exergy rate can be determined as,
E m f [(h h )0 T (S 0 S )]. 0 (4)

In order to do an exergy analysis. The exergy balance equation is written as follows

(Gholampour and Ameri, 2014)
(5)
Ein E solar
E E
fan
IR.
out

This equation can also be written as

(6)

Esolar (E out E E
in ) fan
IR,

where
(7)
Euseful (E out E Ein ). fan

Therefore,
(8)
Euseful E solar IR.

The solar radiation exergy rate, According to Petela theorem, is calculated by Petela
(1964),
4
4Ta a 1 T
E solar S A 1p
eff (9)
3Tsun 3 Tsun
IR calculated by (Padilla et al., 2014)
IR E E E E . (10)
loss,optical loss, p dest,t s des,t

The exergy loss rate considered by (Padilla et al., 2014)

4
4Ta a 1 T
E loss,optical (1 )S Aeff 1p (11)
3Tsun 3 Tsun

Based on the second law of thermodynamics, the exergy efficiency can be calculated as,
E
useful,net
E .4 (12)
4Ta 1 Ta
Seff Ap 1
3T sun 3 Tsun

The efficiency of the collector which was modelled experimentally by Budihardjo as a

function of ambient temperature (Ta), average film temperature of inlet and outlet water
temperature of the tube. (G) Global solar irradiance at the collector plane as a
second order equation (Budihardjo and Morrison, 2009).
(Tf Ta ) (Tf Ta )
col
0.58 0.9271 0.0067 . (13)
G G
The results obtained from the mentioned formulation of equations (1)–(13) are foremost
parameters used for energy and exergy analysis of evacuated tube solar collector (ETSC).

4 Evaluations of energy and exergy efficiency for ETCs

Exergy analysis of solar collector systems using closed and open loop systems are used
for the performance evaluation of direct as well as indirect both types of SWHSs.
The concept of exergy applied over the SWHSs, solar air heating systems, solar
desalination, solar drying systems etc. through various approaches for the evaluation of
thermal efficiency, energy efficiency and exergy efficiency. The researchers had adopted
different methodologies to evaluate exergical parameters through mass flow rate,
fluid temperature, water inlet and outlet temperature, solar radiation intensity, volume
flow rate of water, yield and heat transfer coefficient. The energy and exergy
analysis of a hot water preparation system, which is a boiler assisted vacuum tube solar
collector, had been conducted by Yildizhan and Sivrioğlu (2016) using 40% Antifreeze-
water mixture and for direct flow SWHS by Pandey et al. (2015). Hot water consumption
pattern (Daghigh and Shafieian, 2016) using solar water heating-drying system. Pei et al.
(2012) obtained the results for thermal and exergy efficiency of the system using
evacuated tube solar water heater systems with and without a mini-compound
parabolic concentrating (CPC) Reflector (C < 1). Modified design of solar still
proposed for integrated ETC under forced mode was analysed by Kumar et al.
(2014) to obtain the results for thermal
analysis and mass flow rate. Further Mishra et al. (2015) studied, considering four
different types of weather conditions. In this regard, Exergy analysis of ETCs has
potential application in the field of scientific researches, in industries and can also
be used for domestic purposes. It is the extensive research where many researchers are
still working on it to make the correct use of energy resources.
Ataee and Ameri (2015) performed Energy and Exergy analysis of all-glass evacuated
tube solar collector tubes with the coaxial fluid conduit. The research work was carried on
T-type and H-type models with forced convection flow. The result obtained by H-type
model shows that the outlet flow temperature and exergy efficiency for both air and CO 2
as working fluid is greater than the T-type model. Figure 8 shows the effect of changes in
the mass flow rate on the outlet working fluid temperature and the exergy
efficiencies respectively, for the T-type model with air and carbon dioxide working fluid.

Figure 8 Variation of exergy efficiencies with mass flow rate for T-Type model (see
online version for colours)

Figure 9 shows the effect of increasing collector length with respect to the outlet water
temperature results in increase of the exergy efficiency of the system.
Further Ersöz (2016) experimentally investigated Effects of different working
fluid on the energy and exergy performance for evacuated tube solar collector
with thermosyphon heat pipe. The velocities of air are determined as 2, 3, and 4
m/s. Among six working fluid chloroform and acetone show the best results in
terms of energy and exergy performance of thermosyphon heat pipe evacuated tube
collector (THPETC). As shown in Figure 10, the lowest exergy efficiency occur in the
THPETC- hexane but for 2 m/s air velocity, the highest exergy efficiency in the
THPETC-Acetone.
Figure 9 Variations of outlet air temperature, exergy efficiencies with length air temperature
are shown for H-Type model (see online version for colours)

Figure 10 Exergy efficiencies VS [Tf,in – Ta]I–1 of the THPETCs for air velocity 2 m/s] (see online
version for colours)

Later Pei et al. (2012) experimentally performed a comparative analysis of the thermal
performance of evacuated tube SWHS with and without a mini-compound
parabolic concentrating (CPC) Reflector (C < 1). The water in the tank was heated from
26.9 to 55,
65, 75, 85, and 95°C. The ETC solar water system without a mini- CPC reflector
has higher thermal and exergy efficiencies as compared to the system with a mini
CPC reflector. But, On the other hand, when attaining high-temperature water, the system
with a mini CPC reflector has higher thermal and exergy efficiency than the other
one. Figure 11 shows the average exergy efficiency of the five groups of
comparison experiments.

Figure 11 Average exergy efficiency of the five groups of comparison experiments as observed
by
Pei et al. (2012) (see online version for colours)

According to Jafarkazemi et al. (2016) increasing water inlet temperature besides

decreasing water mass flow rate results in a better exergetic performance.
They performed energy and exergy efficiency of heat pipe evacuated tube solar
collectors. The analysis presents a detailed theoretical and experimental method carried
out showing that increase in water inlet temperature in heat pipe evacuated tube solar
collectors leads to a decrease in heat transfer rate between the heat pipe’s condenser and
water.
Yildizhan and Sivrioğlu (2016) carried out the experimental evaluation of
exergy analysis of a Vacuum tube solar collector system having the indirect working
principle with 40% anti freeze water- mixture. The results so obtained for the average
energy and exergy efficiencies were found to be 13.6% and 1.3%, energy and exergy
efficiencies for indirect operating principle, are lower than direct system working with
solar collectors.
Another experimental evaluation is done by Pandey et al. (2015) for the
Thermal performance of direct flow SWHS using exergetic approach with water as
a working fluid. The experiments were carried out for different volume flow rates of
water such as
10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 litres per hour (LPH) The energetic and the exergetic efficiencies
were found to be 66.57% and 13.38% resp. at 15 LPH flow rate. Figure 12 shows the
variation of solar radiation and efficiencies against time for 15 LPH volume flow rate.
Figure 12 Time vs. solar radiation for 15LPH (see online version for colours)

Kumar et al. (2014) conducted an experimental analysis of a solar still augmented with an
ETC in forced mode. The optimum daily yield obtained was 3.9 kg with energy
and exergy efficiencies as 33.8% and 2.6% respectively during a typical summer
day. The integration of ETC with solar still increases the water temperature as well
2
as yield. The daily yield obtained was 3.47 kg/m for 0.01 m basin water depth at 0.006
kg/s mass flow rate.
At weather conditions, Mishra et al. (2015) considered Thermal modelling and
development of characteristics equation of evacuated tubular collector. The
maximum outlet temperature increases from 53.91°C to 129.23°C and the useful daily
thermal gain increases from a mass flow rate (m f ) 0.002 kg/s. As the number of ETC
connected in series increases instantaneous thermal efficiency decreases and for two to six
number of ETC, its value decreases from 53.5% to 34.4%. Similarly, Kalogirou et
al. (2016) conducted an experimental evaluation of an exergy analysis of solar
thermal collectors and processes.
Singh et al. (2013) investigated the performance of a solar still integrated with ETC in
natural mode. The obtained results for the variation of instant overall energy and exergy
efficiencies have been found to be at the rate of 5.1–54.4% and 0.15–8.25% resp. during
the sunshine hours for 0.03 m water depth the respective daily energy and exergy
efficiencies calculated as 33.0% and 2.5% and maximum along with daily yield of
2
3.8 kg/m . Figure 10 shows the variation of daily energy and exergy efficiency for
set
combinations. To increase in water depth from 0.03 m to 0.05 m for the same
number (Nc = 10) of tube in ETC. Further, it can be noticed that with the increase in the
size of integrated ETC, the daily yield does not increase proportionate possibly due
to higher thermal losses. Figure 13 shows the variation of energy and exergy
efficiency for different set combinations.
Figure 13 Variation of daily energy and exergy efficiency for different set combinations

Further Daghigh and Shafieian (2016) carried out an experimental evaluation of energy
and exergy analysis of a multipurpose evacuated tube heat pipe solar water heating
drying system. They designed, manufactured and examined a solar water heating drying
system. The results of exergetic efficiency and time plot of Figure 14 shows that at the
end of the day the efficiency reached its maximum level about 4.5%.

Figure 14 Exergetic efficiency (see online version for colours)

Table 1 gives the summary of reviewed researches discussed in present paper for exergy
analysis of ETCs.
69 Exergy
G. Saxena
analysis
and M.K.
of evacuated
Gaur tube solar collectors: a review 69

Table 1 Summary of evaluation of exergy analysis of evacuated tube collectors

Type of
S. No. Author investigation Working fluid Type of ETSC Main findings
1 Ataee and Experimental Air and CO2 All-glass evacuated a Increases in the mass flow
Ameri solar collector tubes rate results in decreases of
(2015) with coaxial fluid exergy efficiency
conduit for T-type b The increase of outlet air
and H-type models temperature and the
energy efficiency with
solar radiation intensity
follows the increasing of
the Exergy efficiency.
2 Ersöz Experimental Hexane, Thermosyphon Heat Highest exergy efficiency
(2016) Petroleum, Pipe Evacuated obtained by THPETC
Ether, Tube Collector Chloroform
Chloroform,
Acetone,
Methanol and
Ethanol
3 Jafarkazemi Theoretical and Water Heat pipe evacuated Increasing the difference
et al. (2016) experimental solar collector between water inlet and
ambient temperature leads to a
decrease in energy efficiency,
it leads to an increase in
exergy efficiency
4 Pei et al. Experimental Water Evacuated tube solar At low temperature ETC
(2012) water heater systems without mini-compound
with and without a reflectors has higher thermal
mini-CPC reflector and exergetic efficiencies
5 Yildizhan Experimental 40% antifreeze Vacuum tube solar Average energy and exergy
and water mixture collector efficiencies of the
Sivrioğlu experimental system was
(2016) compared with that of vacuum
tube solar collector
6 Pandey Thermal and Water Direct flow Obtained better exergy and
et al. (2015) experimental evacuated tube energy efficiency for new
collector design of SWH system at flow
rate of 15LPH
7 Kumar Experimental Water Water-in-glass a The integration of ETC
et al. (2014) evacuated tube with solar still increases
the water temperatures as
well as yield
b The maximum daily
energy and exergy
efficiencies at optimum
flow rates have been
found to be as 33.8% and
2.6% respectively
Table 1 Summary of evaluation of exergy analysis of evacuated tube collectors (continued)
Type of
S. No. Author investigation Working fluid Type of ETSC Main findings
8 Mishra Thermal and Weather Evacuated tubular a Maximum outlet
et al. (2015) Experimental conditions collector temperature increases as
the number of collector
tubes increases
b The useful daily thermal
gain increases from 3.29
kW h to 6.34 k h as the
number of collectors
increased from two to six

9 Singh Experimental Water Water-in-glass a Natural circulation rate

et al. (2013) evacuated tube solar increases up to
collector 44 kg/h
b The maximum daily
energy and exergy
efficiencies are found to
be as 33.0% and 2.5%
respectively
c The integration of ETC
with solar still increases
the water temperatures as
well as yield
d The yield decreases
further with the increase
in water depth
10 Daghigh Experimental Hot water Evacuated tube heat a The distribution pattern
and pipe collector of temperature increases
Shafieian as the number of pipes
(2016) reaches to optimum
value
b Exergetic efficiency was
ascending over time

5 Conclusion

This paper provides an overview of recent studies carried out on applications of exergy
analysis of different types of ETC. The review shows that experimentation work carried
out through exergy and energy analysis gives more compatible results. This shows
significance of presented methodology as most efficient way used by researchers
for analysing the performance of ETC. The conclusion drawn out from present
paper is summarised as follows:
Exergy and energy analysis is used in almost all the applications of solar energy for
evaluation of performance.
ETCs are an important component of any solar system, where exergy analysis gives a
more representative performance evaluation, it is a valuable method to evaluate
possible configurations of these systems.
 Exergy efficiency of solar systems is highly dependent on the daily solar radiation
and radiation intensity. So, ETC is highly recommended for higher temperature
applications as it can gain higher temperatures easily and also able to preserve heat
even when the outside weather is cold.
The exergetic efficiency of the ETC seems to be steady with temperature difference
especially at higher values while the thermal efficiency decreases with increasing
temperature difference.
It is noted that the exergetic and energy efficiencies of evacuated tube SWHS can be
increased by the use of nano fluids prepared from high conductivity nanoparticles.
A significant difference in exergy efficiency is obtained by researcher, by variation in
parameters such as mass flow rate, inlet and outlet temperature and change in design.
For lower solar radiation intensity level, by increasing the mass flow rate of the fluid
and air, the value of the exergy efficiency is negative.
The techniques used by researchers for representing outcomes of exergy analysis are
thermal exergy maps, simulated solutions, regression analysis, grassmann diagrams,
mathematical modelling etc.

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Nomenclature
Qu Useful heat gain (J)
2
Ap Aperture area (m )
Seff Effective insolation coefficient defined by equation (1)
m Mass flow rate (kg/s)
Tin Fluid inlet temperature (K)
Tout Fluid outlet temperature (K)
Cp Heat capacity (KJ/Kg-K)
Ėin Exergy input (W)
Ėout Exergy output (W)
Ėdest Exergy destruction rates (W)
m f Mass flow rate of the fluid (kg/s)
T Temperature (K)
h Enthalpy of the fluid in given condition (J/Kg)
h0 Enthalpy of the fluid in dead state (J/Kg)
S Entropy of the fluid in given condition (J/Kg-K)
S0 Entropy of the fluid in dead state (J/Kg-K)
T0 Temperature at dead state (K)
Ė Exergy (W)
Ėsolar Exergy of incident solar radiation (W)
Ėfan Exergy of working fluid (W)
IR Exergy loss & destruction (W)
Ėuseful Useful exergy gain (W)
Ta Ambient temperature (K)
Tsun Temperature of solar intensity (K)
Tf Average film temperature K)
G Global solar irradiation (W/m2)
Ė Exergy (W)
Greek symbols
α Absorptance defined by equation (11)
τ Transmittance defined by equation (11)
(ατ) Optical efficiency defined by equation (11)
E Second law efficiency (%) defined by equation (12)
th First law efficiency (%) defined by equation (1) col
Collector efficiency (%) defined by equation (13) Subscripts
ETC Evacuated tube collector
FPC Flat plate collector
THPETC Thermosyphon heat pipe Evacuated tube collector
a Ambient temperature
dest Exergy destruction
loss Exergy loss
optical Optical efficiency
P Absorber tube
useful Useful exergy gain
useful,net Actual useful exergy gain