Solar collector apparatus

Abstract

The present invention provides a solar collector apparatus (100) for solar heating of air that comprises a container assembly (50) having a plurality of containers (50a) attached to a back plate (40). Each container contains a phase change material (PCM) comprising a mixture of silica carbide nanomaterial and paraffin wax disposed on a bottom portion of a channel (94) formed within a cavity (90) of a housing member (95) substantially insulated with insulation material (30). The channel (94) is delineated at a top portion by an underside of a heat absorbing member (20) disposed with a plurality of downwardly projecting members (20a) and the bottom portion. The channel (94) defines a passage for the flow of air there-through via an inlet (92a) and an outlet (94a) of the cavity (90) and is configured to facilitate heat transfer between the air flowing there-through, the heat absorbing member (20) and the phase change material disposed within the plurality of containers (50a) to thus effect solar heating of the air flowing there-through and providing heated air dispensed via the outlet (94a). Figure 1