Solar Energy Applications
Solar Energy Applications
1. Direct thermal applications Space heating Hot water for building Process where moderate temperature is required 2. Solar electric applications Solar energy directly or indirectly converted into electrical energy Solar thermal energy conversion Photovoltaic conversion Thermo electric conversion Ocean thermal energy conversion 3. Energy from biomass and biogas - plants are growing with solar energy
Flat plate collector with transport glass Bottom of the tank at least 0.3m top of the collector Circulation occurs through natural convection or thermo siphoning Heated water with low density rises and flows into the top of the storage tank. The higher density cold water tends to sink and flows lower heater of flat plate The density difference provides driving effect
SPACE HEATING
A. PASSIVE SYSYTEMS B. ACTIVE SYSTEMS PASSIVE HEATING SYSYTEMS Solar radiation is collected by some elements of structure or admitted directly into building through large south facing windows. Which operates without pumps, blowers or any other mechanical devices Air is circulated past a solar heated surface and through the building by convection. BASIC DESIGN PRINCIPLES WITHOUT MECHANICAL COMPONENTS Direct gain Thermal storage wall Roof storage Convective loop
DIRECT GAIN
Building has south wall with large number of windows Solar radiation entering the windows falls on thick concrete or brick floors and absorbed as well as stored as heat Building air is heated by radiation and convection from the floor and walls
ROOF STORAGE
The heat is absorbed and stored in water Airspace reduces the heat loss to atmosphere Heat is transferred from the heated water to the rooms below by conduction through metal ceiling and air circulation by fan.
CONVECTIVE LOOP
The heated air is circulated by convection A bed of rock provides thermal energy In normal operation air passing upward through the collector is heated and enters the building through floor vents The cool denser air leaving the building enters the bottom of collector and is reheated.
Flat plate collector located on the roof of the building Heat is transmitted to water in the storage tank When the temperature falls below, the water will pass through auxiliary heater During normal operation through air heat exchanger, air is heated and passes through 3 way valve then to the distribution system. During cloudy days, air passes through the auxiliary heater then to the distribution system Advantages: No temperature drop during transfer of energy Requires relatively smaller storage volume It can be used in absorption air conditioner Disadvantages: Water heater may operate at excessive high temperature, care must be taken to avoid boiling and pressure build up Care must be taken to avoid corrosion problems
Air Distribution
Array of parabolic concentrating collectors. Temperature range 250-300C Proper sun tracking arrangement Power plant is same as in low temperature system.
High temperature systems: CENTRAL RECEIVER SYSTEMS Incoming solar radiation is focused to a central receiver or boiler mounted on a tall tower using thousands of plane reflectors (heliostats) Beam radiation incident on boiler absorbed by black pipes where fluid is heated. The working fluid drives the turbine Turbine drives the generator and produces electrical power.
DISTRIBUTED COLLECTOR SYSTEM (Solar Farms) Heated water from receiver enters thermal storage where it becomes steam 500C and 1000 Pa Steam runs the turbine in turn produces electrical power Steam leaving from turbine enters condenser and condenses to water and pumped to thermal storage or to central receiver. 150 KW power is produced.
ADAVNTAGES: Heat conversion subsystem comprising of turbine, generator Boiler is absorbed, resulting in low heat loss Heat need not be transported to long distances.
SOLAR DISTILLATION
Converting saline water into distilled water in solar still. Blackened basis containing saline water on which a transparent glass covers. Solar radiation passes through cover and energy is absorbed by blackened surface. Water is heated and vapor produced is condensed to purified water on cooler interior of roof. Condensed water is flowing down the sloping roof and is collected. Efficiency =W (h2-h1)/H where W = weight of distillated water per m2 per day h2 - h1 enthalpy change fro vapor to water and H = solar intensity. 15-20 liters per day per 10 m2
SOLAR PUMPING:
Utilization of power generated by solar energy for water pumping, useful for irrigation It consists of: Solar collector- there are two kinds Flat plate and concentrator collector Heat transport system Boiler or heat exchanger Heat engine- there are two- Rotary piston engine and Reciprocating engine. Condenser Pump Reciprocating and Rotary pump
SOLAR FURNACE
Getting high temperature by concentrating solar radiation onto a specimen . Heliostat: optically flat , polished flat plate Spherical reflecting collectors: highly polished aluminum or silver coated surface. It produces 2800 0c or maximum heat flux:16000 Kw/m2 Advantages Heating is carried out without any contamination Temp can be controlled by changing the position of material in focus Gives extremely high temp Provides rapid heating Limitations It is limited to sunny days (4-5hrs) High cost