Parametric optimization of solar hot water systems for different building types under hot climate

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Building integrated solar thermal systems are considered an attractive alternative to traditional heating systems for water heating applications. They yield a high potential to efficiently and cost effectively meet a large portion of hot water demand in different building types. However, their performance to great extent depends on the climatic conditions, building water heating requirements and the optimal design and sizing of collectors. The present research attempts to identify a unified parameter for solar thermal sizing for various building types based on their hot water demand under a hot climate. The building types include residential, hospitals, schools, offices and industry. The analysis is conducted numerically through a conjugate heat transfer model executed through TRNSYS platform. The parameters investigated include the collector tilt angle (0o ≤ Φ ≤ 90o), azimuth angle (-90o ≤ β ≤ 90o), collector inlet temperature and collector inlet water flow rate. Eventually a unified design parameter of collector aperture area required per unit footprint area for each building type is determined. The unique parameter will help architects in optimal sizing of the collector for specific building types under a hot climate, taken as the climate of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of 33rd PLEA International Conference
Subtitle of host publicationDesign to Thrive, PLEA 2017
EditorsLuisa Brotas, Sue Roaf, Fergus Nicol
PublisherNCEUB 2017 - Network for Comfort and Energy Use in Buildings
Pages4547-4554
Number of pages8
ISBN (Electronic)9780992895754
Publication statusPublished - 2017
Event33rd International on Passive and Low Energy Architecture Conference: Design to Thrive, PLEA 2017 - Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Duration: Jul 2 2017Jul 5 2017

Publication series

NameProceedings of 33rd PLEA International Conference: Design to Thrive, PLEA 2017
Volume3

Conference

Conference33rd International on Passive and Low Energy Architecture Conference: Design to Thrive, PLEA 2017
Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
CityEdinburgh
Period7/2/177/5/17

Keywords

  • Building types
  • Parametric optimization
  • Solar water heating systems
  • TRNSYS software

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Energy Engineering and Power Technology
  • Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment

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