Presentation
A Membrane-Enabled Solar Heat Pipe for Solar Thermal Water Heating
2nd International Symposium on Environment-Friendly Energies and Applications
(2012)
Abstract
A membrane-enhanced solar heat pipe loop is presented. The device enables heat transfer between an elevated and low-lying area using a membrane-enabled mechanism. A working solution is vaporized in solar collectors, producing vapor which carries thermal energy to a heat exchanger. Condensed fluid moves through a forward osmosis process back into the solution. Forward osmotic pressure enables potentially long range recirculation. A computational model is developed which illustrates the function and design requirements of the system. A small laboratory model is constructed. The laboratory model exhibits 68% operational efficiencies and delivers an estimated maximal wattage of 94.8W. Forward osmosis was measured at 0.605 ± 0.31 mL/min, enabling an energetic return of 23.19W. Two such membranes are required to service the laboratory model, allowing for nighttime recharge.
Disciplines
Publication Date
June, 2012
Location
Northumbria College, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
Citation Information
S. Kazadi, A. Arzani, A. Schwartz, J. Pak, et al.. "A Membrane-Enabled Solar Heat Pipe for Solar Thermal Water Heating" 2nd International Symposium on Environment-Friendly Energies and Applications (2012) Available at: http://works.bepress.com/sanza-kazadi/12/