Experimental and analytical datasets for pressure drop and flow distribution in a Z-type flat-plate solar absorber

This data article provides two dataset types for total pressure drop and parallel-flow distribution in a Z-type flat-plate solar thermal absorber with water as the working fluid. The first dataset consists of high-resolution pressure drop measurements at different temperatures under laminar and turbulent flow conditions obtained experimentally using a state-of-the-art hydraulic test rig. The second dataset comprises analytical data on flow distribution in the absorber. Conducting high-resolution pressure measurements, essential for evaluating thermo-hydraulic models, is a sensitive and time-demanding process requiring a relatively elaborated test rig to accurately measure pressure drop at different temperatures and flow rates in the presence of thermal equilibrium. In this context, engineers and researchers can use these datasets to compare and verify developed numerical models for thermo-hydraulic evaluation of pressure drop and flow distribution in flat-plate solar collectors under both laminar and turbulent flow regimes. The article also comprises analytical data for flow distribution in the absorber for several header configurations presented by dimensionless-flow-rate and non-uniformity. This data article is related to the research article (Shantia et al., 2022 ). The datasets are accessible in the supplementary files accompanied by the online version of this article and in the Mendeley Data repository.