Experimental and analytical datasets for pressure drop and flow distribution in a Z-type flat-plate solar absorber

This repository provides two dataset types for total pressure drop and parallel-flow distribution in a Z-type flat-plate solar thermal absorber with water as the working fluid. The first dataset consists of high-resolution pressure drop measurements at different temperatures under laminar and turbulent flow conditions obtained experimentally using a state-of-the-art hydraulic test rig. The second dataset comprises analytical data on flow distribution in the absorber. Conducting high-resolution pressure measurements, essential for evaluating thermo-hydraulic models, is a sensitive and time-demanding process requiring a relatively elaborated test rig to accurately measure pressure drop at different temperatures and flow rates in the presence of thermal equilibrium. In this context, engineers and researchers can use these datasets to compare and verify developed numerical models for thermo-hydraulic evaluation of pressure drop and flow distribution in flat-plate solar collectors under both laminar and turbulent flow regimes. The article also comprises analytical data for flow distribution in the absorber for several header configurations presented by dimensionless-flow-rate and non-uniformity. This data article is related to the following research article published by a peer-reviewed open access journal: A. Shantia, W. Streicher, C. Bales, Effect of tapered headers on pressure drop and flow distribution in a Z-type polymeric solar absorber, Sol. Energy. 232 (2022) 283–297. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2021.11.048.本数据集仓库提供两类数据集，用于以水为工质的Z型平板太阳能热吸热器（Z-type flat-plate solar thermal absorber）的总压降与并联流场分布研究。 第一类数据集为采用先进液压试验台（state-of-the-art hydraulic test rig）开展实验获取的高分辨率压降测量数据，覆盖层流与湍流工况下不同温度条件的测量结果。 第二类数据集包含该吸热器内流场分布的分析数据。 高精度压力测量是热工水力模型（thermo-hydraulic models）评估的关键环节，该过程敏感且耗时耗力，需搭建相对精密复杂的试验台，方可在热平衡状态下精准测量不同温度与流量下的压降。 在此背景下，工程人员与研究人员可借助本数据集，对比并验证针对层流与湍流工况下平板太阳能集热器压降及流场分布的热工水力评估数值模型。 本数据文章还包含针对多种集管构型（header configurations）的吸热器内流场分布分析数据，以无量纲流量（dimensionless-flow-rate）与不均匀性（non-uniformity）进行表征。 本数据文章关联一篇发表于同行评议开放获取期刊的研究论文：A. Shantia、W. Streicher、C. Bales，《锥形集管对Z型聚合物太阳能吸热器压降与流场分布的影响》，Sol. Energy. 232 (2022) 283–297. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2021.11.048.