Print this page Solar Air Heating Project Analysis
Velimir Lackovic, MScEE
Course Outline
Solar air heating installations are beginning to be used more and more for the “cladding” of exterior walls (which face the equator) on industrial, commercial and apartment style buildings, as well as for single-family residences. Solar air heating systems have also been used for drying agricultural crops.
In this course the algorithms used for solar air heating project modelling have been shown in detail. The model calculates energy savings resulting from the installation of a perforated plate solar collector. Energy savings are the sum of solar energy actively collected, building heat recapture savings, and destratification savings. The calculation of overall energy savings is straightforward in the case of commercial/residential and process heat systems, where the collector flow rate is set by design; the calculation is more complicated in the case of heating systems for industrial buildings because collector flow rate depends on the mixing ratio with recirculated air, and an iterative procedure has to be used.
This course is suitable for engineers with a desire to understand the fundamentals of setting solar air heating project. Presented details cover issues related to technical and financial implementation and exploitation of solar air heating systems. Upon successful completion engineers will be able to address solar air heating terms, methods of operation and how to set up detailed technical and financial feasibility model.
This course includes
a multiple choice quiz at the end,
Learning Objective
At the conclusion of this course, the student will become familiar with:
- Basic theory and solar air heating technology background;
- Solar air heating application markets;
- Solar air heating project modeling;
- Collected solar energy savings; and
- How to determine solar utilization.
Intended Audience
This course is intended for electrical and mechanical engineers.
Benefit to Attendees
Attendee of this course will understand basic solar air heating principles, methods for proper solar design and basic calculations that are used to size heating system.
Course Introduction
The Solar Air Heating (SAH) system is a proven system for heating or preheating air in various applications. The system is most widely used to heat ventilation air in buildings, but it has also been applied in processes such as crop drying where heated air is an important requirement.
Typically, the most cost-effective installations of solar air heating systems on buildings occur in new construction since the solar collector cladding (or plate) allows the use of less expensive wall cladding material as a backing; and no additional ventilation fan is required. The second most cost-effective installation is generally for retrofits when there are plans to repair or upgrade an existing wall, improve indoor air quality, or add more ventilation or makeup air to balance exhaust air. Many existing process air heating systems can also be easily retrofitted to include low-cost solar air preheating. Where heating costs are high, solar air heating systems are often financially attractive, even in retrofit situations that don’t meet the above criteria.
Course Content
In this lesson, you are required to download and study the following course content in PDF format:
Solar Air Heating Project Analysis
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Course Summary
In this course calculation method used for solar air heating project model have been shown in detail. The model calculates energy savings resulting from the installation of a perforated plate solar collector. Energy savings are the sum of solar energy actively collected, building heat recapture savings, and destratification savings. Depending on the type of system considered, only some of these savings may apply: process heat systems only benefit from active gains, residential/commercial systems also benefit from building heat recapture and heating systems for industrial buildings benefit from all three modes of savings. Active solar energy gains are calculated with the help of an empirical collector efficiency curve. Other savings are approximated from simple energy balances using monthly average values. The calculation of overall energy savings is straightforward in the case of commercial/residential and process heat systems, where the collector flow rate is set by design; the calculation is more complicated in the case of heating systems for industrial buildings because collector flow rate depends on the mixing ratio with recirculated air, and an iterative procedure has to be used.
Quiz
Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.
DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.
