Publication

Abstract : Enhancing the thermal and exergetic efficiency of solar air heater systems (SAHRR) is essential for developing sustainable and high-performance thermal energy technologies. Jet impingement has recently attracted significant attention due to its excellent convective heat transfer capabilities, making it a promising technique for advanced thermal management applications. This review focuses on the integration of jet impingement and energy-storage mechanisms to improve the thermohydraulic and exergetic performance of SAHRR systems, addressing persistent challenges such as heat loss and the formation of laminar viscous layers that hinder effective heat transfer. A comprehensive review of experimental and numerical studies was carried out, covering various jet impingement geometries, storage materials, and hybrid configurations. The analysis highlights key research gaps in coupling SAHRR systems with combined jet impingement and thermal backup solutions. Findings indicate that incorporating both sensible and latent heat storage media— such as pebbles, therminol 55, phase change material (PCM), cetearyl alcohol, beeswax and PCM and hybrid nanofluid combination —significantly enhances heat retention and exergy efficiency. Among different PCM configurations, horizontally oriented rectangular modules exhibit superior melting and solidification characteristics, while the use of xenon gas in double-glazed designs improves sensible heat gain and minimizes exergy losses. Overall, the review concludes that hybrid SAHRR systems integrating jet impingement and energy storage represent a promising direction for the development of next-generation solar thermal technologies, offering improved efficiency, reliability, and long-term energy sustainability.