scholarly journals Solar-Powered Thermoelectric-Based Cooling and Heating System for Building Applications: A Parametric Study

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (17) ◽  
pp. 5573
Author(s):  
Mohadeseh Seyednezhad ◽  
Hamidreza Najafi

Thermoelectric (TE) based cooling and heating systems offer significant advantages over conventional vapor compression systems including no need for refrigeration or major moving parts, high controllability, and scalability. The purpose of the present study is to provide an energy and economic assessment of the performance of a TE-based radiant cooling and heating system for building applications. It is considered that TE modules are integrated in the ceiling to lower/increase the ceiling temperature through the Peltier effect during the hot/cold season to provide thermal comfort for the occupants via radiation and convection. The study explores the possibility of using rooftop PV panels to produce electricity required for the operation of TE modules. An actual office building located in Melbourne, FL, USA is considered for a test study, and the hourly cooling and heating loads of the building are calculated through building energy simulation in eQuest. Various operating conditions, including different input voltages and temperature gradient across TE modules, are considered, and the system is sized to properly address the year-around cooling/heating demand. It is shown that a nominal cooling capacity of 112.8 W and a nominal PV capacity of 31.35 W per unit area of the building is required to achieve the target goal when the system operates at the optimal condition. An economic analysis is also performed, and estimated cost, as well as potential savings, are calculated for each operating condition. The optimal operating condition with minimum cost is selected accordingly. The results demonstrated that the initial cost of the proposed system is considerably higher than conventional heating/cooling systems. However, the system offers other benefits that can potentially make it an attractive option for building cooling/heating applications.

2019 ◽  
Vol 123 (1264) ◽  
pp. 890-911
Author(s):  
R. Jäckel ◽  
G.L. Gutiérrez Urueta ◽  
F. Tapia Rodríguez ◽  
C. Monreal Jiménez

AbstractAeronautic Pitot probes (PPs) are extremely important for airspeed and altitude measurements in aviation. Failure of the instrument due to clogging caused by ice formation can lead to dangerous situations. In this work, a commercial aeronautic PP was characterised experimentally regarding its inner composition, material properties and its thermal performance in a climatic wind tunnel. Performance runs were taken out in order to analyse the thermal response of the PP under various operating conditions with a particular emphasis on the cooling process in the case of a heating element failure. Data for the thermal conductivity, diffusivity and specific heat for each material forming the PP were obtained. A numerical model to simulate the thermal behaviour of the PP was created using Comsol Multiphysics (CM). Experimental data were compared with their numerical counterparts for model validation purposes. After the model was validated, the operation of the PP in flight conditions was simulated. The failure of the conventional heating system was analysed to obtain the time until the PP reaches a tip temperature where ice formation can be expected. The tip temperature undercut the zero degrees Celsius mark 165 seconds after the heating element was switched off. The data collected in this work can be used to implement and validate mathematical models in order to predict the thermal performance of Pitot probes in flight conditions.


Author(s):  
Larysa Bodnar ◽  
Petro Koval ◽  
Sergii Stepanov ◽  
Liudmyla Panibratets

A significant part of Ukrainian bridges on public roads is operated for more than 30 years (94 %). At the same time, the traffic volume and the weight of vehicles has increased significantly. Insufficient level of bridges maintenance funding leads to the deterioration of their technical state. The ways to ensure reliable and safe operation of bridges are considered. The procedure for determining the predicted operational status of the elements and the bridge in general, which has a scientific novelty, is proposed. In the software complex, Analytical Expert Bridges Management System (AESUM), is a function that allows tracking the changes in the operational status of bridges both in Ukraine and in each region separately. The given algorithm of the procedure for determining the predicted state of the bridge using a degradation model is described using the Nassie-Schneidermann diagram. The model of the degradation of the bridge performance which is adopted in Ukraine as a normative one, and the algorithm for its adaptation to the AESUM program complex with the function to ensure the probabilistic predicted operating condition of the bridges in the automatic mode is presented. This makes it possible, even in case of unsatisfactory performance of surveys, to have the predicted lifetime of bridges at the required time. For each bridge element it is possible to determine the residual time of operation that will allow predict the state of the elements of the structure for a certain period of time in the future. Significant interest for specialists calls for the approaches to the development of orientated perspective plans for bridge inspection and monitoring of changes in the operational status of bridges for 2009-2018 in Ukraine. For the analysis of the state of the bridge economy, the information is available on the distribution of bridges by operating state related to the administrative significance of roads, by road categories and by materials of the structures. Determining the operating state of the bridge is an important condition for making the qualified decisions as regards its maintenance. The Analytical Expert Bridges Management System (AESUM) which is implemented in Ukraine, stores the data on the monitoring the status of bridges and performs the necessary procedures to maintain them in a reliable and safe operating condition. An important result of the work is the ability to determine the distribution of bridges on the public roads of Ukraine, according to operating conditions established in the program complex of AESUM, which is presented in accordance with the data of the current year. In conditions of limited funding and in case of unsatisfactory performance of surveys, it is possible to make the reasonable management decisions regarding the repair and the reconstruction of bridges. Keywords: bridge management system, operating condition, predicted operating condition, model of degradation, bridge survey plan, highway bridge.


Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 555
Author(s):  
Sangkyung Na ◽  
Sanghun Song ◽  
Seunghyuk Lee ◽  
Jehwan Lee ◽  
Hyun Kim ◽  
...  

In this study, evaporator optimization, via both experimental and simulation methods was conducted. To evaluate the evaporator performance, under the optimal system, the compressor operating time and the effects of oil on the refrigerator system were studied. If the temperature of the refrigerator chamber reaches the setting value, the compressor stops working and it leads to the temperature of the refrigerator chamber slowly increasing, due to the heat transfer to the ambient. When the refrigerator temperature is out of the setting range, the compressor works again, and the refrigerator repeats this process until the end of its life. These on/off period can be controlled through the compressor piston movement. To determine the optimal compressor operating conditions, experiments of monthly power consumption were conducted under various compressor working times and the lowest power consumption conditions was determined when the compressor worked continuously. Lubricating oil, the refrigerator system, using oil, also influenced the system performance. To evaluate the effect of oil, oil eliminated and oil systems were compared based on cooling capacity and power consumption. The cooling capacity of the oil eliminated system was 2.6% higher and the power consumption was 3.6% lower than that of the oil system. After determining the optimal operating conditions of the refrigerator system, visualization experiments and simulations were conducted to decide the optimal evaporator and the conventional evaporator size can be reduced by approximately 2.9%.


Author(s):  
Men Wirz ◽  
Matthew Roesle ◽  
Aldo Steinfeld

Thermal efficiencies of the solar field of two different parabolic trough concentrator (PTC) systems are evaluated for a variety of operating conditions and geographical locations, using a detailed 3D heat transfer model. Results calculated at specific design points are compared to yearly average efficiencies determined using measured direct normal solar irradiance (DNI) data as well as an empirical correlation for DNI. It is shown that the most common choices of operating conditions at which solar field performance is evaluated, such as the equinox or the summer solstice, are inadequate for predicting the yearly average efficiency of the solar field. For a specific system and location, the different design point efficiencies vary significantly and differ by as much as 11.5% from the actual yearly average values. An alternative simple method is presented of determining a representative operating condition for solar fields through weighted averages of the incident solar radiation. For all tested PTC systems and locations, the efficiency of the solar field at the representative operating condition lies within 0.3% of the yearly average efficiency. Thus, with this procedure, it is possible to accurately predict year-round performance of PTC systems using a single design point, while saving computational effort. The importance of the design point is illustrated by an optimization study of the absorber tube diameter, where different choices of operating conditions result in different predicted optimum absorber diameters.


2011 ◽  
Vol 115 (1164) ◽  
pp. 83-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Bao ◽  
J. Qin ◽  
W. X. Zhou

Abstract A re-cooled cycle has been proposed for a regeneratively cooled scramjet to reduce the hydrogen fuel flow for cooling. Upon the completion of the first cooling, fuel can be used for secondary cooling by transferring the enthalpy from fuel to work. Fuel heat sink (cooling capacity) is thus repeatedly used and fuel heat sink is indirectly increased. Instead of carrying excess fuel for cooling or seeking for any new coolant, the cooling fuel flow is reduced, and fuel onboard is adequate to satisfy the cooling requirement for the whole hypersonic vehicle. A performance model considering flow and heat transfer is build. A model sensitivity study of inlet temperature and pressure reveals that, for given exterior heating condition and cooling panel size, fuel heat sink can be obviously increased at moderate inlet temperature and pressure. Simultaneously the low-temperature heat transfer deterioration and Mach number constrains can also be avoided.


2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Azridjal Aziz ◽  
Rahmat Iman Mainil ◽  
Afdhal Kurniawan Mainil ◽  
Sayfri Syafri ◽  
Muhammad Faizal Syukrillah

The Portable Beverage Cooler (PBC) has been designed to satisfy the need of cooler apparatus that could be carried easily. The utilization of this apparatus was intended to minimize the environmental damage affected by vapour compression refrigeration system using CFCs Refrigerant. The peltier effect from thermoelectric module was utilized in this PBC and called as Thermoelectric Cooler (TEC). Furthermore, heat-sink and fan were needed to ensure the cooling effect continously worked. To achieved the objectives of this machine (portable, environment-friendly, low watt, affordable), the design consideration are heat load, insulating material, weight of components, electric consumption, and dimension of the cooling box.  The results of the design shows the PBC cooling box dimension is 6 cm x 6.5 x 15 cm. The insulation of the PBC cooling box are polyurethane foam and polystyrene expanded with thickness 6 mm and 5.3 mm, respectively. The alumunium plate was applied as inner wall to enhance the cooling capacity of cooling room temperature. In this PBC was used one stage of TEC that could yield cooling room temperature until 15 oC in 30 minutes operation by consuming 20 W of electricity. 


2018 ◽  
Vol 777 ◽  
pp. 238-244
Author(s):  
Serene Sow Mun Lock ◽  
Kok Keong Lau ◽  
Irene Sow Mei Lock ◽  
Azmi Mohd Shariff ◽  
Yin Fong Yeong ◽  
...  

Oxygen (O2) enriched air combustion via adaption of polymeric membranes has been proposed to be a feasible alternative to increase combustion proficiency while minimizing the emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Nonetheless, majority of techno-economic assessment on the O2 enriched combustion evolving membrane separation process are confined to assumption of constant membrane permeance. In reality, it is well known that membrane permeance is highly dependent upon the temperature and pressure to which it is operated. Therefore, in this work, an empirical model, which includes the effect of temperature and pressure to permeance, has been evaluated based on own experimental work using polysulfone membrane. The empirical model has been further validated with published experimental results. It is found that the model is able to provide an excellent characterization of the membrane permeance across a wide range of operating conditions for both pure and binary gas with determination coefficient of minimally 0.99.


Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 598 ◽  
Author(s):  
Łukasz Warguła ◽  
Mateusz Kukla ◽  
Piotr Krawiec ◽  
Bartosz Wieczorek

Branch chipping machines with low-power engines are distinguished with an intermittent operation due to a periodical supply of branches. A conventional drive speed control of these machines is not adapted to adjust the operating mode depending on frequency of material supply for shredding. This article discusses the issues related to the assessment of the application of adaptive systems similar in design to start–stop systems used in vehicles, as necessary in the driving of this type machine. During testing, an impact of a distance between a branch pile from the woodchipper, a number of operators on frequency of drive unit operating condition changes, and the mass and volume output (productivity) were considered. A percentage ratio of the active and passive (idle) operation in selected conditions of use was also determined. A low-power 9.5 kW engine-powered cylindrical-type woodchipper was used for testing. Material chopped in the chipper was freshly cut branches of oaks (Quercus L. Sp. Pl. 994. 1753) with a diameter in the largest cross-section ca. 80 mm and moisture content ca. 25%. Piles of branches were located at three different distances from the chipper, i.e., 3 m, 9 m and 15 m. Branches to the chipper were fed by one or two operators. It was demonstrated that the idle run time in tested conditions with one operator could be from 43% to 71% of the entire operating time. Frequency of operating condition changes when only one operator worked and fluctuated from ca. 6 to 2 times per minute. Increasing the number of operators from one to two had a slight impact on the frequency of operating condition changes (by ca. 7%) at the shortest distance from the chipper (3 m). However, at larger distances, the additional operator may increase the frequency of operating condition changes of the chipper by 77% for 9 m distance and 85% for 15 m distance. The mass and volumetric output of the cylindrical chipper in the most advantageous case is equal to 0.66 t/h and 3.5 m3/h, respectively. The increase of the branch pile distance from the chipper causes a drop in mass output by 32%, and volumetric output by 33.5%. The results of the tests confirmed the necessity for the development of low-power chipping machines designed for clearing operations rather than industrial production of biomass. A direction for development could be systems that adapt driving units to operating conditions, depending on a demand for the chipping process.


Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 200 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krzysztof Rajski ◽  
Jan Danielewicz ◽  
Ewa Brychcy

In the present work, the effects of different operating parameters on the performance of a gravity-assisted heat pipe-based indirect evaporative cooler (GAHP-based IEC) were investigated. The aim of the theoretical study is to evaluate accurately the cooling performance indicators, such as the coefficient of performance (COP), wet bulb effectiveness, and cooling capacity. To predict the effectiveness of the air cooler under a variety of conditions, the comprehensive calculation method was adopted. A mathematical model was developed to simulate numerically the heat and mass transfer processes. The mathematical model was validated adequately using experimental data from the literature. Based on the conducted numerical simulations, the most favorable ranges of operating conditions for the GAHP-based IEC were established. Moreover, the conducted studies could contribute to the further development of novel evaporative cooling systems employing gravity-assisted heat pipes as efficient equipment for transferring heat.


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 168781401988478
Author(s):  
M Gado ◽  
E Elgendy ◽  
Khairy Elsayed ◽  
M Fatouh

This article aims to improve the system cooling capacity of an adsorption chiller working with a silica gel/water pair by an allocation of the optimum cycle time at different operating conditions. A mathematical model was established and validated with the literature experimental data to predict the optimum cycle time for a wide range of hot (55°C–95°C), cooling (25°C–40°C), and chilled (10°C–22°C) water inlet temperatures. The optimum and conventional chiller performances are compared at different operating conditions. Enhancement ratio of the system cooling capacity was tripled as the cooling water inlet temperature increased from 25°C to 40°C at constant hot and chilled water inlet temperatures of 85°C and 14°C, respectively. Applying the concept of the optimum cycle time allocation, the system cooling capacity enhancement ratio can reach 15.6% at hot, cooling, and chilled water inlet temperatures of 95°C, 40°C, and 10°C, respectively.


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