A study on heat-pip evacuated tube solar water heater and its application in a hotel | |
| Author | Thanapol Sathaporn |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.ET-11-22 |
| Subject(s) | Solar water heaters Renewable energy |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering in Energy, School of Environment Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis; no.ET-11-22 |
| Abstract | Countries around the world are currently facing crisis on energy including Thailand. Burning fossil fuel causes global warming and climate change. Solar water heater is an interesting renewable technology by substitution fossil fuel with clean energy (Solar energy). However, solar water heaters in Thailand are not promoted enough as it could be. In this research, experimental and theoretical studies on heat-pipe evacuated tube solar collectors (HETC) are conducted. The performance of a collector is determined by value of FR(τα) and FRUL ,while the performance of the collectors connected in series are described as average value of [ FR(τα)av and FRUL,av ]. The experiments are conducted under steady state condition by following the test standard ASHRAE 93-86. Different water flow rate are studied in an individual collector experiment which the results show that flow rate only has slightly an effect on performance of a collector which the value of FR(τα) and FRUL for a HETC is 0.4744 and 1.8013 W/m2.K, respectively. By comparing with literature, performance of HETC from this experiment are lower than HETC tested from Florida Solar Energy Center due to the lower optical efficiency (FR(τα)) and higher heat loss coefficient (FRUL). Higher efficiency was observed from flat plate collector (FPC) compared to HETC. However, heat losses from FPC will occur more when operate at high temperature due to its higher heat loss coefficient HETCs connected in series (2 series, 3 series, 4 series, and 5 series connection) are also studied. The results present that performance of the series connections trend to be slightly reduced due to the decreasing of FR(τα)av and increasing of FRUL,av when collectors are connected more in series. The value of FR(τα)av and FRUL,av, estimated from Oonk’s equation (Oonk) and experimental estimation (Est) obtained in series connection experiment, can be effectively used to estimate useful energy delivered from HETC which both have the acceptable percent error less than 8 %. This can validate the use of Oonk’s equation to predict useful energy from HETCs being connected in series. Financial analysis of HETC solar water heating system for AITCC shows that solar fraction at 70% has the lowest pay back at 5.33 year and GHG mitigation at 13.9 tCO2e/year. 79.6 m2 of Collector areas, 2,273 L of Storage tank, and 9.53 kW of Auxiliary Heater were estimated. However, in term of environmental aspect, solar fraction at 100% becomes more attractive with payback period at 5.72 years and GHG mitigation at 23.6 tCO2e/year. For this system, 101.38 m2 of Collector areas, 2, 899 Liters of Storage tank, and 7.52 kW of Auxiliary Heater are determined Also, RETscreen software is studied and considered as a convenient tool to quickly sizing and design solar water heating system including analysis of financial viability and GHG mitigation. RETscreen suggests number of HETCs at 35 with 95.9 m2, 2502 Liter of Storage tank, and payback period for this system is 7.8 years. |
| Year | 2012 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institue of Technology. Thesis; no.ET-11-22 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Energy and Climate Change (Former title: Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Change (DEECC)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Energy and Environment (EE) |
| Chairperson(s) | Kumar, Sivanappan; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Salam, P. Abdul;Mohanty, B; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Royal Thai Government Fellowship; |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Eng.) - Asian Institue of Technology, 2012 |