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Determination of the Performance Characteristics of a Modified Solar Water Heating System

Received: 3 October 2014     Accepted: 18 October 2014     Published: 8 December 2014
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Abstract

Heated water is very essential for domestic, agricultural, commercial as well as industrial operations. Obtaining hot water usually comes with a cost. Though conventional water heating systems exist, however, the operational cost and environmental impact of this method is contributing seriously to the already worsened energy situation in Nigeria. Solar water heating system (SWHS) is a practical application to replace the conventional electrical water heater. The low efficiency of solar water heaters has been the main reason why many people still prefer the conventional methods. To improve on the performance characteristics of the existing solar water heater, a modified version was developed by re-shaping the solar collector and making it adjustable so that it could attract maximum solar radiation. The pipe was replaced with another pipe of smaller diameter to allow for more heating surface area using the same collector frame. The tank and the sides of the collector frame were lagged with a special polysterine material to reduce heat loss due to radiation and a unidirectional control valve was introduced to the tank so that the already heated water that can be preserved in the tank. Tests were carried out on the existing as well as the modified heaters. The results obtained show a significant improvement on the performance of the SWHS. The inlet average temperature increased form 24.64 oC to 35.14oC while the outlet temperature increased from 51.53oC to 60.73oC which corresponds to an improvement in the performance of the system’s inlet water temperature of 15.65% and outlet water temperature of 15.14%.

Published in International Journal of Sustainable and Green Energy (Volume 3, Issue 6)
DOI 10.11648/j.ijrse.20140306.16
Page(s) 158-163
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2014. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Solar Energy, Heating System, Modified System, Collector Design, Solar Insulator

References
[1] Donald B. Roark,S G. H. Beck and H. C. Fryer ‘Differences In Milking Response Under Prescribed Variations In Methods Employed To Stimulate Milk Let-Down’ Online, available At Www.Journalofdairyscience.Org/Article/S0022-0302(52)93789.../Pdf Accessed July, 2014
[2] ‎Sambo A. S. ‘Renewable For Rural Development: The Nigeria Perspective’ Proceedings of The ISESCO Science and Technology Vision Vol 1 (12-22)
[3] UK Department of Energy and Climate Change‘The Future of Heating: A strategic framework for low carbon heat in the UK’ (2012) Online, available At http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/consultations/cons_smip/cons_smip.aspx Accessed August, 2014
[4] Ozalla solar energy ‘ heat pumps’ Online, available At www.ozalla.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view. Accessed August, 2014
[5] U.S. Department of Energy's Office "Conventional Water Heating Efficiency" by U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Building Technologies Program, Online, available At www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/info/components/waterheating/conventional.html. Accessed August, 2014
[6] Lee, D.W and Sharma, A (2007) ‘Thermal Performance of the Active and Passive Heating Systems Based on Annual Operation’ Solar Energy, Vol 81 No2, 207-215
[7] J. A. Duffie and W. A. Beckman, Solar Engineering of Thermal Processes, John Wiley and Sons, New York, NY, USA, 2nd edition, 1991.
[8] S. T. Wara and S. E. Abe (2013) ‘Mitigating Climate Change by the Development and Deployment of Solar Water Heating Systems’ Journal of Energy Hindawi Publishing Corporation Volume 2013, Article ID 679035
[9] Kalogirou S (2009). Solar Energy Engineering: Processes and Systems, 1st edition, Elsevier Publications, London, UK,
[10] Andrea Ambrosini, Timothy N. Lambert, Chad L. Staiger, Aaron C. Hall, Marlene Bencomo, Ellen B. Stechel (2010) ‘Improved High Temperature Solar Absorbers for use in Concentrating Solar Power Central Receiver Applications’ SANDIA REPORT SAND2010-7080.
[11] Yi-Mei Liu, Kung-Ming Chung *, Keh-Chin Chang and Tsong-Sheng Lee (2012), ‘Performance of Thermosyphon Solar Water Heaters in Series’ Energies 5, 3266-3278; ISSN 1996-1073
[12] Duffie, J.A.; Beckman, W.A. Solar Engineering of Thermal Processes; John Wiley Sons:
[13] Hoboken, NJ, USA, 1980; Chapter 12, pp. 487–497.
[14] Belessiotis, V.; Mathioulakis, E. (2002) ‘Analytical approach of thermosyphon solar domestic hot water system performance’. Sol. Energy 2002, 72, 307–315.
[15] Bansal, N.K. and K. Uhlemann, 1986. Thermosypon water heating system. Reviews of Renewable Energy Resources. Wiley Eastern Limited, New Delhi, India, 3: 189-196
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  • APA Style

    Orovwode Evwiroghene Hope, Wara Tita Samuel, Agbetuyi Ayoade Felix, Adediran Olalekan Gideon, Adoghe Uwakhonye Anthony. (2014). Determination of the Performance Characteristics of a Modified Solar Water Heating System. International Journal of Sustainable and Green Energy, 3(6), 158-163. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijrse.20140306.16

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    ACS Style

    Orovwode Evwiroghene Hope; Wara Tita Samuel; Agbetuyi Ayoade Felix; Adediran Olalekan Gideon; Adoghe Uwakhonye Anthony. Determination of the Performance Characteristics of a Modified Solar Water Heating System. Int. J. Sustain. Green Energy 2014, 3(6), 158-163. doi: 10.11648/j.ijrse.20140306.16

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    AMA Style

    Orovwode Evwiroghene Hope, Wara Tita Samuel, Agbetuyi Ayoade Felix, Adediran Olalekan Gideon, Adoghe Uwakhonye Anthony. Determination of the Performance Characteristics of a Modified Solar Water Heating System. Int J Sustain Green Energy. 2014;3(6):158-163. doi: 10.11648/j.ijrse.20140306.16

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ijrse.20140306.16,
      author = {Orovwode Evwiroghene Hope and Wara Tita Samuel and Agbetuyi Ayoade Felix and Adediran Olalekan Gideon and Adoghe Uwakhonye Anthony},
      title = {Determination of the Performance Characteristics of a Modified Solar Water Heating System},
      journal = {International Journal of Sustainable and Green Energy},
      volume = {3},
      number = {6},
      pages = {158-163},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ijrse.20140306.16},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijrse.20140306.16},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijrse.20140306.16},
      abstract = {Heated water is very essential for domestic, agricultural, commercial as well as industrial operations. Obtaining hot water usually comes with a cost. Though conventional water heating systems exist, however, the operational cost and environmental impact of this method is contributing seriously to the already worsened energy situation in Nigeria. Solar water heating system (SWHS) is a practical application to replace the conventional electrical water heater. The low efficiency of solar water heaters has been the main reason why many people still prefer the conventional methods.  To improve on the performance characteristics of the existing solar water heater, a modified version was developed by re-shaping the solar collector and making it adjustable so that it could attract maximum solar radiation. The pipe was replaced with another pipe of smaller diameter to allow for more heating surface area using the same collector frame. The tank and the sides of the collector frame were lagged with a special polysterine material to reduce heat loss due to radiation and a  unidirectional control valve was introduced to the tank so that the already heated water that can be preserved in the tank. Tests were carried out on the existing as well as the modified heaters. The results obtained show a significant improvement on the performance of the SWHS. The inlet average temperature increased form 24.64 oC to 35.14oC while the outlet temperature increased from 51.53oC to 60.73oC which corresponds to an improvement in the performance  of the system’s  inlet water temperature of  15.65% and outlet water temperature of  15.14%.},
     year = {2014}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Determination of the Performance Characteristics of a Modified Solar Water Heating System
    AU  - Orovwode Evwiroghene Hope
    AU  - Wara Tita Samuel
    AU  - Agbetuyi Ayoade Felix
    AU  - Adediran Olalekan Gideon
    AU  - Adoghe Uwakhonye Anthony
    Y1  - 2014/12/08
    PY  - 2014
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijrse.20140306.16
    DO  - 10.11648/j.ijrse.20140306.16
    T2  - International Journal of Sustainable and Green Energy
    JF  - International Journal of Sustainable and Green Energy
    JO  - International Journal of Sustainable and Green Energy
    SP  - 158
    EP  - 163
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2575-1549
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijrse.20140306.16
    AB  - Heated water is very essential for domestic, agricultural, commercial as well as industrial operations. Obtaining hot water usually comes with a cost. Though conventional water heating systems exist, however, the operational cost and environmental impact of this method is contributing seriously to the already worsened energy situation in Nigeria. Solar water heating system (SWHS) is a practical application to replace the conventional electrical water heater. The low efficiency of solar water heaters has been the main reason why many people still prefer the conventional methods.  To improve on the performance characteristics of the existing solar water heater, a modified version was developed by re-shaping the solar collector and making it adjustable so that it could attract maximum solar radiation. The pipe was replaced with another pipe of smaller diameter to allow for more heating surface area using the same collector frame. The tank and the sides of the collector frame were lagged with a special polysterine material to reduce heat loss due to radiation and a  unidirectional control valve was introduced to the tank so that the already heated water that can be preserved in the tank. Tests were carried out on the existing as well as the modified heaters. The results obtained show a significant improvement on the performance of the SWHS. The inlet average temperature increased form 24.64 oC to 35.14oC while the outlet temperature increased from 51.53oC to 60.73oC which corresponds to an improvement in the performance  of the system’s  inlet water temperature of  15.65% and outlet water temperature of  15.14%.
    VL  - 3
    IS  - 6
    ER  - 

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Author Information
  • Electrical and Information Engineering Department, School of Applied Engineering, College Engineering, Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria

  • Electrical and Information Engineering Department, School of Applied Engineering, College Engineering, Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria

  • Electrical and Information Engineering Department, School of Applied Engineering, College Engineering, Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria

  • Department of Electrical / Electronics Engineering, College of Engineering, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria

  • Electrical and Information Engineering Department, School of Applied Engineering, College Engineering, Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria

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