Second-Law Analysis of a Two-Phase Self-Pumping Solar Water Heater

1992 ◽  
Vol 114 (3) ◽  
pp. 188-193 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. A. Walker ◽  
J. H. Davidson

Entropy generated by operation of a two-phase self-pumping solar water heater under Solar Rating and Certification Corporation rating conditions is computed numerically in a methodology based on an exergy cascade. An order of magnitude analysis shows that entropy generation is dominated by heat transfer across temperature differences. Conversion of radiant solar energy incident on the collector to thermal energy within the collector accounts for 87.1 percent of total entropy generation. Thermal losses are responsible for 9.9 percent of total entropy generation, and heat transfer across the condenser accounts for 2.4 percent of the total entropy generation. Mixing in the tempering valve is responsible for 0.7 percent of the total entropy generation. Approximately one half of the entropy generated by thermal losses is attributable to the self-pumping process. The procedure to determine total entropy generation can be used in a parametric study to evaluate the performance of two-phase hot water heating systems relative to other solar water heating options.

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Felipe A. S. Silva ◽  
Luis Júnior ◽  
José Silva ◽  
Sandilya Kambampati ◽  
Leandro Salviano

AbstractSolar Water Heater (SWH) has low efficiency and the performance of this type of device needs to be improved to provide useful and ecological sources of energy. The passive techniques of augmentation heat transfer are an effective strategy to increase the convective heat transfer coefficient without external equipment. In this way, recent investigations have been done to study the potential applications of different inserts including wire coils, vortex generators, and twisted tapes for several solar thermal applications. However, few researchers have investigated inserts in SWH which is useful in many sectors where the working fluid operates at moderate temperatures. The longitudinal vortex generators (LVG) have been applied to promote heat transfer enhancement with a low/moderate pressure drop penalty. Therefore, the present work investigated optimal geometric parameters of LVG to enhance the heat transfer for a SWH at low Reynolds number and laminar flow, using a 3D periodical numerical simulation based on the Finite Volume Method coupled to the Genetic Algorithm optimization method (NSGA-II). The LVG was stamped over a flat plate inserted inside a smooth tube operating under a typical residential application corresponding to Reynolds numbers of 300, 600, and 900. The geometric parameters of LGV were submitted to the optimization procedure which can find traditional LVG such as rectangular-winglet and delta-winglet or a mix of them. The results showed that the application of LGVs to enhance heat transfer is an effective passive technique. The different optimal shapes of the LVG for all Reynolds numbers evaluated improved more than 50% of heat transfer. The highest augmentation heat transfer of 62% is found for the Reynolds number 900. However, the best thermo-hydraulic efficiency value is found for the Reynolds number of 600 in which the heat transfer intensification represents 55% of the pressure drop penalty.


2006 ◽  
Vol 129 (2) ◽  
pp. 226-234
Author(s):  
Robert Hendron ◽  
Mark Eastment ◽  
Ed Hancock ◽  
Greg Barker ◽  
Paul Reeves

Building America (BA) partner McStain Neighborhoods built the Discovery House in Loveland, CO, with an extensive package of energy-efficient features, including a high-performance envelope, efficient mechanical systems, a solar water heater integrated with the space-heating system, a heat-recovery ventilator (HRV), and ENERGY STAR appliances. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and Building Science Consortium conducted short-term field-testing and building energy simulations to evaluate the performance of the house. These evaluations are utilized by BA to improve future prototype designs and to identify critical research needs. The Discovery House building envelope and ducts were very tight under normal operating conditions. The HRV provided fresh air at a rate of about 35L∕s(75cfm), consistent with the recommendations of ASHRAE Standard 62.2. The solar hot water system is expected to meet the bulk of the domestic hot water (DHW) load (>83%), but only about 12% of the space-heating load. DOE-2.2 simulations predict whole-house source energy savings of 54% compared to the BA Benchmark (Hendron, R., 2005 NREL Report No. 37529, NREL, Golden, CO). The largest contributors to energy savings beyond McStain’s standard practice are the solar water heater, HRV, improved air distribution, high-efficiency boiler, and compact fluorescent lighting package.


2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (9) ◽  
pp. 28
Author(s):  
Ali. J. S. Alrafad ◽  
Abdihg S. Alrafad ◽  
Tarek. Hamad ◽  
Ahmed. Nassar

In our modern societies, One of the main and simplest signature traits is hot water as a convenient and efficient way of life either for industrial and domestic purposes, however, obtaining hot water in most cases will be through fossil fuel either by direct burning for the fuel for heating or indirectly by using electricity that generated by fossil fuel. Using solar heaters will limit the in some extent the usage of fossil fuel. A flat solar water heater of (165 to 175) cm3 has been constructed to be used as a model for educational purposes. The solar heater is made of local materials consist of galvanized iron pipes, glass surfaces, wool insulation, aluminum frame, and fixed iron base. Moreover, Thermocouples, pyranometer, and an anemometer were used to test the performance of the heater in four days in May for the angle of inclination of the complex 320 is on the horizontal. In conclusion, the daily average efficiency was around 57%. The temperature in the tank is about  62 0C at noon, which is sufficient for home use throughout the day.


Author(s):  
Robert Hendron ◽  
Mark Eastment ◽  
Ed Hancock ◽  
Greg Barker ◽  
Paul Reeves

Building America (BA) partner McStain Neighborhoods built the Discovery House in Loveland, Colorado, with an extensive package of energy-efficient features, including a high-performance envelope, efficient mechanical systems, a solar water heater integrated with the space-heating system, a heat-recovery ventilator (HRV), and ENERGY STAR™ appliances. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and Building Science Consortium (BSC) conducted short-term field-testing and building energy simulations to evaluate the performance of the house. These evaluations are utilized by BA to improve future prototype designs and to identify critical research needs. The Discovery House building envelope and ducts were very tight under normal operating conditions. The HRV provided fresh air at a rate of about 75 cfm (35 l/s), consistent with the recommendations of ASHRAE Standard 62.2. The solar hot water system is expected to meet the bulk of the domestic hot water (DHW) load (>83%), but only about 12% of the space-heating load. DOE-2.2 simulations predict whole-house source energy savings of 54% compared to the BA Benchmark [1]. The largest contributors to energy savings beyond McStain’s standard practice are the solar water heater, HRV, improved air distribution, high-efficiency boiler, and compact fluorescent lighting package.


2018 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 1147-1161 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esdras Nshimyumuremyi ◽  
Wang Junqi

Solar water heating is a technology of capturing the energy from the sun's radiation for the purpose of raising the temperature of water from water supply temperature to the desired higher temperature depending on the use. There are many views and discussions on the questions of thermal efficiency of solar water heaters and their associated cost, especially different customers/users want to replace their existing conventional water heating energy by solar water heating systems. In this present paper, a deep investigation has been accomplished to determine thermal efficiency and cost analysis of solar water heater made in Rwanda. During manufacturing of solar water heater, the collector was the main part to emphasize on. The high efficiency of the system was achieved by replacing galvanized iron sheet by aluminum sheet slotted and black painted as an absorber plate. The ambient temperature and average solar radiation of the three sites where solar water heaters are installed were investigated. The used materials, specifications and sizing were discussed in this paper.


Green ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian Norton

AbstractSolar water heating can be considered to be an established mature technology. The achievement of this status is the outcome of over a century of system development that culminated with a flourish of innovation in the last thirty years. Drivers for research and development have been achieving economic viability by devising systems that, for specific applications in particular climate contexts produced more hot water per unit cost. Reductions in both initial capital and installation costs have been achieved as well as in those associated with subsequent operation and maintenance. Research on solar water heating is discussed with the emphasis on overall systems though some key aspects of component development are also outlined. A comprehensive taxonomy is presented of the generic types of solar water heater that have emerged and their features, characteristics and performance are discussed.


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