Thermal performance of PCCP panel radiators for different convector dimensions – An experimental and numerical study

Enhancing the heat output of panel radiators could play an important role in energy saving of buildings. The current study evaluates the impacts of convectors on the heat output of Panel-Convector-Convector-Panel (PCCP) radiators, and weight in order to obtain an optimum design. The effect of convector sheet thickness (t), convector height (H), gap between opposite convectors (d), convector trapezoidal height (L) and convector tip radius (R) has been investigated experimentally and numerically. Experiments were performed for radiators with different convector designs in a climatized room. Using these experimental results, numerical results were validated, and a fairly good agreement was observed. The study showed that the convection fins (convectors) of radiators have a significant influence on the heat output as well as total weight. It was observed that with the increase in convector sheet thickness as well as convector height the heat transfer also increases. In addition, the weight increases. Convector tip radius has a favorable effect on heat transfer, and also decreases the total weight of radiators.