Modares Mechanical Engineering

Modares Mechanical Engineering

Numerical Investigation of the Transient Performance of a Novel Hybrid Solar Air Heater with Phase Change Material, Porous Matrix, and External Air Recycling: A Case Study for Bojnord, Iran

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Fatemeh Karami
Majid Sabzpooshani
Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Kashan, Kashan, Iran
10.48311/mme.2026.118635.82923
Abstract
In this study, the transient energy and exergy performance of a novel solar air heater incorporating a phase change material (PCM), a porous matrix and an air recycling system was investigated based on the climatic data of Bojnord city using an analytical–numerical approach. Energy balance equations for the system components were derived analytically, and local temperature distributions along the channel and over time were computed. Three configurations were considered: a reference system without PCM and porous matrix, a system with PCM, and a combined system with both PCM and porous matrix. Results showed that PCM reduced thermal fluctuations and sustained heating during periods without solar radiation, with outlet air temperature approximately 6 °C higher than the reference system. Moreover, the porous matrix enhanced flow turbulence and heat transfer surface area, resulting in a more uniform thermal response. The analysis of mass flow rate effects in the combined system indicated that increasing the flow rate from 0.01 to 0.025 kg/s raised cumulative thermal efficiency from 48.02% to 65.88%, while cumulative exergy efficiency decreased from 3.58% to 1.82%, demonstrating that higher flow rates enhance heat recovery, whereas lower flow rates improve the quality of the output energy. The main novelty of this study lies in the simultaneous investigation of the effects of a phase change material (PCM) and a porous matrix in a solar air heater under Iranian climatic conditions. The findings suggest that the proposed system can be effectively applied for energy-efficient heating of residential and industrial buildings.
Keywords
solar air heater؛ Phase change material (PCM)؛ Porous matrix؛ Cumulative energy and exergy analysis؛ Analytical&ndash
numerical approach

Subjects

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Modares Mechanical Engineering
Volume 26, Issue 6
May 2026
Pages 463-478