Optimized Design and Feasibility of a Heating System with Energy Storage by Pebble Bed in a Solar Attic

Hao Cheng, Xinke Wang and Min Zhou
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Hao Cheng: Department of Building Environment and Energy, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, China
Xinke Wang: Department of Building Environment and Energy, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, China
Min Zhou: China Northwest Architecture Design and Research Institute Co. Ltd., Xi’an, 710003, China

Energies, 2017, vol. 10, issue 3, 1-14

Abstract: For efficient application of solar energy, a pebble bed energy storage heating system in a solar attic is optimally designed and operated. To study the characteristics of the heating system, a numerical model for the system is presented and is validated with the experiment data in the literature. Based on the model, the influence of the envelopes of the solar house and the meteorological condition on the system performance is investigated. The results show that the envelopes, except those on the north face, with more glazed exterior surfaces can be beneficial to raise the temperature of the solar house. It is also found that outdoor temperature may have less impact on the energy storage in the system compared with solar radiation. Furthermore, through optimizing the system design and operation, solar energy can account for 56% of the energy requirement in the heating season in Xi’an (about 34° N, 108° E), which has an average altitude of 397.5 m and moderate solar irradiation. Also, the suitability of the system in northwest China is investigated, and the outcome demonstrates that the external comprehensive temperature should be more than 269 K if a 50% energy saving rate is expected.

Keywords: heating system; solar house; pebble bed; suitability; energy saving (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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