Performance Simulation of an Unglazed Transpired Solar Collector: Two-Dimensional and Three-Dimensional Analysis †.

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Title: Performance Simulation of an Unglazed Transpired Solar Collector: Two-Dimensional and Three-Dimensional Analysis †.
Authors: Streckienė, Giedrė1 (AUTHOR) giedre.streckiene@vilniustech.lt, Piskulov, Martin1 (AUTHOR)
Source: Energies (19961073). Jan2026, Vol. 19 Issue 2, p481. 16p.
Subjects: Computational fluid dynamics, Solar heating, Energy consumption, Renewable energy sources, Fluid dynamics, Computer simulation of heat transfer, Climate change
Geographic Terms: Lithuania (Grand Duchy)
Abstract: The growing depletion of fossil fuel resources and rising energy costs underscore the need for efficient renewable energy technologies, such as unglazed transpired solar collectors (UTSCs). UTSCs harness solar energy to preheat outdoor air, thereby improving building energy efficiency and reducing reliance on conventional heating systems. This study presents a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis of UTSC performance under Lithuanian winter conditions (ambient air temperature −2.64 °C, solar irradiance 733.45 W/m2, wind speed 1.93 m/s) using two- and three-dimensional models developed in ANSYS FLUENT. The 3D model simulates a realistic wall fragment with multiple repeating sheet metal profiles and an air gap, while the 2D model represents a longitudinal section applicable to generic UTSC configurations. Both models were validated against experimental data and used to evaluate airflow velocity, pressure distribution, and air temperature rise. The results indicate overall thermal efficiencies of 54.32% for the 3D model and 54.07% for the 2D model, demonstrating that simplified 2D models can achieve comparable accuracy while significantly reducing computational cost. These findings highlight the potential of high-resolution CFD modelling for optimizing UTSC design and enabling faster, more reliable assessments for integration in industrial and commercial building applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Energies (19961073) is the property of MDPI and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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DbLabel: Engineering Source
An: 191171922
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  Data: Performance Simulation of an Unglazed Transpired Solar Collector: Two-Dimensional and Three-Dimensional Analysis †.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Energies+%2819961073%29%22">Energies (19961073)</searchLink>. Jan2026, Vol. 19 Issue 2, p481. 16p.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Computational+fluid+dynamics%22">Computational fluid dynamics</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Solar+heating%22">Solar heating</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Energy+consumption%22">Energy consumption</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Renewable+energy+sources%22">Renewable energy sources</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Fluid+dynamics%22">Fluid dynamics</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Computer+simulation+of+heat+transfer%22">Computer simulation of heat transfer</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Climate+change%22">Climate change</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Lithuania+%28Grand+Duchy%29%22">Lithuania (Grand Duchy)</searchLink>
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
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  Data: The growing depletion of fossil fuel resources and rising energy costs underscore the need for efficient renewable energy technologies, such as unglazed transpired solar collectors (UTSCs). UTSCs harness solar energy to preheat outdoor air, thereby improving building energy efficiency and reducing reliance on conventional heating systems. This study presents a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis of UTSC performance under Lithuanian winter conditions (ambient air temperature −2.64 °C, solar irradiance 733.45 W/m2, wind speed 1.93 m/s) using two- and three-dimensional models developed in ANSYS FLUENT. The 3D model simulates a realistic wall fragment with multiple repeating sheet metal profiles and an air gap, while the 2D model represents a longitudinal section applicable to generic UTSC configurations. Both models were validated against experimental data and used to evaluate airflow velocity, pressure distribution, and air temperature rise. The results indicate overall thermal efficiencies of 54.32% for the 3D model and 54.07% for the 2D model, demonstrating that simplified 2D models can achieve comparable accuracy while significantly reducing computational cost. These findings highlight the potential of high-resolution CFD modelling for optimizing UTSC design and enabling faster, more reliable assessments for integration in industrial and commercial building applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
  Label:
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  Data: <i>Copyright of Energies (19961073) is the property of MDPI and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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        Value: 10.3390/en19020481
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        Text: English
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        StartPage: 481
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        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Solar heating
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Energy consumption
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Renewable energy sources
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Fluid dynamics
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      – SubjectFull: Computer simulation of heat transfer
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      – SubjectFull: Climate change
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Lithuania (Grand Duchy)
        Type: general
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      – TitleFull: Performance Simulation of an Unglazed Transpired Solar Collector: Two-Dimensional and Three-Dimensional Analysis †.
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            NameFull: Streckienė, Giedrė
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            NameFull: Piskulov, Martin
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              M: 01
              Text: Jan2026
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              Y: 2026
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