• Motor Vehicles, Semester 3, position 5
• Thermal Energy, Semester 3, position 5
• Thermal Power Engineering, Semester 3, position 5
• Poljoprivredno prehrambeno mašinstvo, Semester 3, position 5

Achieving academic competences in the field of solar energy utilization. Mastering theoretical and practical knowledge of solar-to-thermal energy conversion, as well as mastering techniques of process modeling and simulation.

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to: Explain the characteristics of solar radiation at a given location; Analyze enеrgy transfer in the components of thermal solar systems; Formulate mass and energy balances for solar system components (solar collectors, energy storage units, heat exchangers, piping); Determine the relevant energy characteristics of the respective system components; Analyze and thermodynamically evaluate the performance of different thermal solar systems.

Importance and areas of solar energy utilization. Solar radiation: characteristics, potential, apparent motion of the Sun, available solar energy on the Earth’s surface. Heat transfer in solar system components: laws of blackbody radiation, gray and real bodies, radiative properties of materials, Kirchhoff’s law, selective surfaces, radiative heat flux, convection, conduction, combined heat transfer. Components of thermal solar systems and thermodynamic models: Solar collectors (types, operating temperature ranges, design, operating principle, heat transfer model, thermal and other characteristics); Thermal energy storage units (water-based storage, phase-change and other materials, design, energy balance); Heat exchangers (thermal characteristics, balances); Heat transfer fluids (relevant properties); Piping (balance equations); Other components. System operation control. Characteristics of solar systems for different applications.

Modeling and simulation of the operation of components and solar systems: dynamics of solar energy utilization in a selected facility, relevant climatic and other parameters; selection and description of system operation, physical and mathematical modeling; calculation algorithm; operation simulation. Parametric analysis of the performance of individual components and systems, thermodynamic analysis and optimization. Comparison with results obtained using available computer programs.

Passed the Thermodynamics exam

1. Lecture handouts/notes 2. Textbooks and printed references 3. Laboratory work 4. Software tools 5. Catalogues/manuals

Total assigned hours: 75

New material: 20
Elaboration and examples (recapitulation): 10

Auditory exercises: 0
Laboratory exercises: 3
Calculation tasks: 2
Seminar paper: 10
Project: 12
Consultations: 0
Discussion/workshop: 3
Research study work: 0

Review and grading of calculation tasks: 0
Review and grading of lab reports: 2
Review and grading of seminar papers: 4
Review and grading of the project: 5
Test: 0
Test: 2
Final exam: 2

Activity during lectures: 0
Test/test: 20
Laboratory practice: 0
Calculation tasks: 0
Seminar paper: 20
Project: 30
Final exam: 30
Requirement for taking the exam (required number of points): 35

Gojak, M., Rudonja, N.: Solar Thermal Systems, University of Belgrade – Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, 2024.; Duffie, J., Beckman, W.: Solar engineering of thermal processes, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2006.; Kreith, F., Goswami, Y.: Handbook of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Chapter 18 - Solar thermal energy conversion, CRC Press 2007; Kalogirou, S.: Solar thermal collectors and applications, Progress in Energy and Combustion Science 30, 231-295, 2004.; ASHRAE Applications Handbook: CHAPTER 32 - SOLAR ENERGY USE, 1999