A solar collector receives radiation (energy via heat transfer) at the rate of 0.315 kW per m2 of collector area. The total area of the collector is 40 m2. Assume the collector provides this energy to a thermal storage unit (a thermal reservoir) at 220oC. A heat engine receives energy from this thermal storage unit and discharges energy by heat transfer to the surroundings at 20 C (also a thermal reservoir).
a. What is the rate of energy input to the thermal storage unit from the solar collector (kW)? Ans. 12.6 kW
b. Determine the theoretical maximum efficiency of the heat engine.
c. What is the power output of the engine?
d. What is the rate of heat rejection from the engine to the surroundings (kW)?
e. If the actual efficiency of the engine is only 50% of the theoretical maximum how much collector area (m2) would be required to produce the same amount engine power (as determined in part (c)?