The impact of the hot tap water load pattern in the industrial hall on the energy yield from solar collectors

The systems using solar energy, popular in Poland, can be used to supply hot water for the installation used by employees of industrial halls. In manufacturing plants, employing a large number of people, the demand for hot water is practically constant throughout the year and is characterized by periodic use at the end of each work shift. Dynamics of the hot water consumption depends on the number of shifts as well as working days and holidays. Additionally the maximum hot tap water demand occurs in the whole period of installation operation. In polish climatic conditions the solar collectors’ systems have the largest capacity in the summer, while in winter they need to be assisted. Beside that the supply of renewable energy is uneven and depends on weather conditions. In the paper the one-hour step analysis concerning the dependence of the load pattern of the hot tap water preparation system on the energy yield from solar collectors had been performed

Analysis of the power extraction rate change for boreholes in time and in different heat load conditions

Paper shows the performance analysis of the boreholes being the lower heat source for the brine-to-water heat pump. Researchers focused on the changes of the specific power extraction rate change in time and in various loads. The measurements were the continuation of the analysis of the differences between the Thermal Response Test (TRT) and exploitation data made in 2016/2017 heating season. The heat source performance under greater load and in longer period have been examined. The analysis showed brine temperature drop in overload work conditions even when ambient temperature was high and severe heat source destabilization despite a return to original performance

Potential of CO₂ Emission Reduction via Application of Geothermal Heat Exchanger and Passive Cooling in Residential Sector under Polish Climatic Conditions

The article summarizes the results of the 25-year time horizon performance analysis of the ground source heat pump that serves as a heat source in a detached house in the climatic conditions that prevail in Wrocław, Poland. The main aim is to assess the potential of ground regeneration and reduction of CO2 emission by passive cooling application. The study adds value to similar research conducted worldwide for various conditions. The behavior of the lower source of the heat pump was simulated using EED software. The ground and borehole properties, heat pump characteristics, heating and cooling load, as well as the energy demand for domestic hot water preparation have been used as input data. Based on the brine temperatures for all analyzed cases including the ground with lower and higher values of conductivity and heat capacity, the borehole filler of inferior and superior thermal properties, and the passive cooling option turned on and off, the seasonal efficiencies of the heat pump have been calculated. The energy and emission savings calculations are based on the values obtained. The application of passive cooling reduces the brine temperature drop by 0.5 K to over 1.0 K in consecutive years in the analyzed cases and the thermal imbalance by 65.0% to 65.9%. Electric energy savings for heating and domestic hot water preparation reach 4.5%, but the greatest advantage of the system is the possibility of almost emission-free colling the living spaces which allows reducing around 33.7 GWh of electric energy and 1186–1830 kg of CO2 emission for cooling

Potential of CO2 Emission Reduction via Application of Geothermal Heat Exchanger and Passive Cooling in Residential Sector under Polish Climatic Conditions

The article summarizes the results of the 25-year time horizon performance analysis of the ground source heat pump that serves as a heat source in a detached house in the climatic conditions that prevail in Wrocław, Poland. The main aim is to assess the potential of ground regeneration and reduction of CO2 emission by passive cooling application. The study adds value to similar research conducted worldwide for various conditions. The behavior of the lower source of the heat pump was simulated using EED software. The ground and borehole properties, heat pump characteristics, heating and cooling load, as well as the energy demand for domestic hot water preparation have been used as input data. Based on the brine temperatures for all analyzed cases including the ground with lower and higher values of conductivity and heat capacity, the borehole filler of inferior and superior thermal properties, and the passive cooling option turned on and off, the seasonal efficiencies of the heat pump have been calculated. The energy and emission savings calculations are based on the values obtained. The application of passive cooling reduces the brine temperature drop by 0.5 K to over 1.0 K in consecutive years in the analyzed cases and the thermal imbalance by 65.0% to 65.9%. Electric energy savings for heating and domestic hot water preparation reach 4.5%, but the greatest advantage of the system is the possibility of almost emission-free colling the living spaces which allows reducing around 33.7 GWh of electric energy and 1186–1830 kg of CO2 emission for cooling

Environmental Benefits and Energy Savings from Gas Radiant Heaters’ Flue-Gas Heat Recovery

This paper demonstrates the need and potential for using waste heat recovery (WHR) systems from infrared gas radiant heaters, which are typical heat sources in large halls, due to the increasing energy-saving requirements for buildings in the EU and the powerful and wide-spread development of the e-commerce market. The types of gas radiant heaters are discussed and the classification of WHR systems from these devices is performed. The article also presents for the first time our innovative solution, not yet available on the market, for the recovery of heat from the exhaust gases of ceramic infrared heaters. The energy analysis for an industrial hall shows that this solution allows for environmental benefits at different levels, depending on the gas infrared heater efficiency, by reducing the amount of fuel and emissions for domestic hot water (DHW) preparation (36.8%, 15.4% and 5.4%, respectively, in the case of low-, standard- and high-efficiency infrared heaters). These reductions, considering both DHW preparation and hall heating, are 16.1%, 7.6% and 3.0%, respectively. The key conclusion is that the innovative solution can spectacularly improve the environmental effect and achieve the highest level of fuel savings in existing buildings that are heated with radiant heaters with the lowest radiant efficiency

Performance Analysis of Systems Powered by a Ground Source Heat Pump

Heat pumps are known as zero-emission heating and cooling devices at the point of energy production. In order to exploit their advantages, they are combined with low-temperature heating systems. Using the example of a residential building in five climatic zones in Poland and one in Ukraine, systems analyses were carried out, in which heat into rooms is supplied in two different ways: low-temperature radiators and thermally active ceilings. The energy demand for heating, cooling and domestic hot water preparation was calculated. The seasonal coefficient of performance of the ground source heat pump was estimated to compare the systems. The results of the analysis confirmed that the thermo-active ceiling (with a flow temperature of 35°C) ensures a lower final energy demand when it works throughout the year in the heating and natural cooling mode compared to the low-temperature radiators (with a flow temperature of 45°C) which facilitate only the heating mode in the heating season. Performance analysis demonstrated differences in final electric energy demand from 8% in the I climatic zone to 9% in the V climatic zone in Poland and 10% in Ukraine

Environmental Benefits and Energy Savings from Gas Radiant Heaters’ Flue-Gas Heat Recovery

This paper demonstrates the need and potential for using waste heat recovery (WHR) systems from infrared gas radiant heaters, which are typical heat sources in large halls, due to the increasing energy-saving requirements for buildings in the EU and the powerful and wide-spread development of the e-commerce market. The types of gas radiant heaters are discussed and the classification of WHR systems from these devices is performed. The article also presents for the first time our innovative solution, not yet available on the market, for the recovery of heat from the exhaust gases of ceramic infrared heaters. The energy analysis for an industrial hall shows that this solution allows for environmental benefits at different levels, depending on the gas infrared heater efficiency, by reducing the amount of fuel and emissions for domestic hot water (DHW) preparation (36.8%, 15.4% and 5.4%, respectively, in the case of low-, standard- and high-efficiency infrared heaters). These reductions, considering both DHW preparation and hall heating, are 16.1%, 7.6% and 3.0%, respectively. The key conclusion is that the innovative solution can spectacularly improve the environmental effect and achieve the highest level of fuel savings in existing buildings that are heated with radiant heaters with the lowest radiant efficiency

Analysis of the ground-source heat pump operation with various heat-carrier fluids in the lower heat source

In the paper the analysis of the operation of ground-source heat pump with various heat-carrier fluids circulating in boreholes was made. The authors considered several aspects related to the heat-carrier fluid selection (freezing point, heat transfer capabilities, toxicity, pumping costs). The lower heat source analysis had been performed in Earth Energy Designer (EED) software. The analyses’ results reliability was assured by the ground-source model calibration made basing on the measurement data from on-site test stand. Analyses were performed for four heat-carrier fluids (two kinds of propylene glycol solutions – standard and with lower viscosity, water and nanofluid (water + CuO)) and in four variants of thermal load (design and actual loads both with and without active regeneration). It had been concluded that temperature of none of the fluids would drop under 0°C if the system was operated under actual thermal load. For design thermal load there would be a risk of the water freezing but it may be minimized by active regeneration or lower heat source enlargement by 20% (in analyzed case) each rising the mean fluid temperature by around 1.0-1.5 K. The use of other fluid in place of standard propylene glycol solution will give pumping energy savings

Users’ Sensations in the Context of Energy Efficiency Maintenance in Public Utility Buildings

Research towards understanding the relationship between maintaining thermal comfort and energy efficiency in the public utility buildings was undertaken among 323 1st year students during class hours. Questionnaires surveys and measurements of indoor conditions were performed. The article identified students’ sensations and perceptions concerning indoor conditions. Temperature, relative humidity, air velocity and CO2 concentration measured to assess room conditions showed that the auditorium had almost comfortable conditions according to the literature guidelines. The indices used to assess students’ perceptions were: Thermal Sensation Vote (TSV), Thermal Preference Vote (TPV), Air Freshness Sensation Vote (AfSV), Air Movement Preference Vote (AmPV), and Relative Humidity Preference Vote (RHPV). The interpretation of these indicators showed that while the students’ requests for temperature changes and increased air movement are adequate for the air conditions in the room, the evaluation of stuffiness and requests for changes in humidity levels are surprising. Striving uncritically to meet the desired room parameters, according to the users votes, can lead to deterioration of the air and not only the increase in energy consumption but even waste it. Better understanding of users’ preferences and behaviour and further application of this knowledge indirectly aim at increasing energy efficiency in buildings

Analysis of the ground-source heat pump operation with various heat-carrier fluids in the lower heat source

In the paper the analysis of the operation of ground-source heat pump with various heat-carrier fluids circulating in boreholes was made. The authors considered several aspects related to the heat-carrier fluid selection (freezing point, heat transfer capabilities, toxicity, pumping costs). The lower heat source analysis had been performed in Earth Energy Designer (EED) software. The analyses’ results reliability was assured by the ground-source model calibration made basing on the measurement data from on-site test stand. Analyses were performed for four heat-carrier fluids (two kinds of propylene glycol solutions – standard and with lower viscosity, water and nanofluid (water + CuO)) and in four variants of thermal load (design and actual loads both with and without active regeneration). It had been concluded that temperature of none of the fluids would drop under 0°C if the system was operated under actual thermal load. For design thermal load there would be a risk of the water freezing but it may be minimized by active regeneration or lower heat source enlargement by 20% (in analyzed case) each rising the mean fluid temperature by around 1.0-1.5 K. The use of other fluid in place of standard propylene glycol solution will give pumping energy savings