Conceptual design of experimental solar heat accumulation system with phase change materials

M. Dzikevics*, A. Blumberga and D. Blumberga

Riga Technical University, Faculty of Power and Electrical Engineering, Institute of Energy Systems and Environment, Azenes 12/1, LV1048 Riga, Latvia; *Correspondence: mikelis.dzikevics@rtu.lv

Abstract:

The research on solar heating systems often is faced with choice of carrying out experiments in real systems with changing parameters or to use modelling software with constant parameters but many undefined parameters or assumptions. The design of experimental system for simulating solar heat accumulation is proposed in this paper. The proposed design allows testing of phase change materials which provide higher thermal density compared to water. Results from computational fluid dynamic simulations carried out by other studies have been analysed for implementation into designing of the tank. All of these factors have been taken into account to create a system that resembles real case and can simulate for a long periods of time.

Key words:

Seasonal temperature variation in heat collection liquid used in renewable, carbon-free heat production from urban and rural water areas

E. Hiltunen, J.B. Martinkauppi*, A. Mäkiranta, J. Rinta-Luoma and T. Syrjälä

University of Vaasa, Faculty of Technology, Electrical Engineering and Energy Technology, Wolffintie 34, FI65200 Vaasa, Finland *Correspondence: Birgitta.Martinkauppi@uva.fi

Abstract:

A renewable energy source called sediment energy is based on heat collection with tubes similar to those used in ground energy and is installed inside a sediment layer under water body. In this paper, an investigation of temperature behaviour of heat carrier liquid is made during several years to evaluate utilization of sediment energy. This is done by evaluating temperature variations of heat carrier liquid and its correlation to air temperature. This increases advancement of knowledge how the temperature of the sediment recovers from the heat collection. The temperature variation of the liquid seems to correlate with the mean monthly air temperature. The selected methods clearly indicate that sediment energy seems to be yearly renewable because there is a clear correlation between air temperature and heat carrier liquid temperature.

Key words:

carbon-free, energy source, heat energy, renewable, sediment energy.