MODELING AND EXPERIMENTAL-VERIFICATION OF A FLAT-PLATE SOLAR PHOTOREACTOR

A nonconcentrating, flat-plate solar photoreactor has been modeled and experimentally verified. The mathematical model considers that the re actor glass window receives direct and diffuse (isotropic) solar radia tion. The model was solved numerically and predictions were compared w ith photodecomposition rate data, employing the uranyl oxalate actinom eter. The reaction was conducted in an isothermal, perfectly mixed rea ctor placed inside a batch recycling system. The experimental values w ere compared with theoretical predictions and good agreement was obtai ned, the maximum deviation being 12%. The effect of the actinometer co ncentration and of the solar zenith angles (for horizontal and tilted reactors) on the actinometer decomposition rate was investigated. Resu lts indicated that the uranyl oxalate reaction rate increases when (i) the initial actinometer concentration increases at almost constant so lar zenith angle and (ii) the zenith angle decreases at the same initi al actinometer concentration.