Anderson, Jacob

Clarke, Andrew

Compere, Marc D

Forester, Daphne

Hardtke, Bianca

Hartman, Josh

Rocha Belmonte, Joao Marcelo

English

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

RESIDENTIAL THERMAL STORAGE & COOLINGIntroduction and PurposeIn the United States, 92% of the electricity produced comes from non-renewableresources. Air conditioning represents 17% of electricity consumption for an averageU.S. household. The Duck Curve illustrates how peak solar production is out of phasewith peak energy demand. This causes overproduction of solar energy with noadequate means of storage during peak demand times. This thermal storage tankalleviates the large gap of energy needs seen in the Duck Curve and allocatessustainable energy usage to a large consumer of electricity. This system provides anenvironmentally friendly solution to solar energy storage and air cooling as it eliminatesrefrigerant use and the need for cycling toxic batteries by using water thermal storage.AbstractA lab scale thermal storage and cooling system was designed to test systemand scale feasibility. The major components of the system are an ice maker,insulated storage tank, water pump, hydronic air handler, and instrumentation.Ice and water are loaded into the storage tank and the chilled water is pumpedthrough the air handler coil. The energy dense latent heat of the ice providesthe system with the temperature difference used to produce the cooling anddehumidification. Final testing proved an air temperature and relative humiditychange from 72°F with 40% to 59°F with 57%, respectfully.The system achieved the desired inlet water temperature and flow rate specifiedfor the air handler and closely modeled it’s cooling capacity for the roomconditions of the test space.The original system was built with a copper coil as the heat exchanger in thestorage tank. Results of testing prompted the removal of the coil and using themeltwater directly as the working fluid. To improve the design, a more direct andautomated method of loading the tank with ice would remove the need tomanually “charge” the tank.Jacob Andersonanderj15@my.erau.eduJoão Belmontebelmonj1@my.erau.eduAndrew Clarkeclarkea9@my.erau.eduDaphne Foresterforested@my.erau.eduBianca Hardtkehardtkeb@my.erau.eduJosh Hartmanhartmj13@my.erau.eduResultsUsing a thermistor, the air handler inlet and outlet water temperature, and dry bulb airtemperature were measured over a 60 minute period. The trend lines show thepredicted measurements associated with the slightly deviated data points around aconstant temperature for each respective variable. The working fluid achieved atemperature difference of about 18°F (38°F to 56°F). As a result, the air temperaturechanged by about 12°F from the return air (71°F) to the supply air (59°F).Energy SystemsSenior Design Poster SessionMechanical EngineeringDr. Marc CompereComperem@erau.eduDuck Curve (2010)ConclusionsThe System achieved ANSI/ASHRAE human comfort standards with return airtemperature of 75°F with 40% relative humidity. At steady state with a room conditionof 71ºF and 40% relative humidity, the system is capable of approximately 1/2 ton ofcooling capacity. This system has proven that a small scale concept relieves the “DuckCurve”; however, it is not cost effective for personal residential use. Universities suchas Embry-Riddle and other large commercial campuses utilize thermal storagesystems for cooling to take advantage of varying daily utility rates and the return oninvestment from large scale designs. If thermal storage systems such as this wereintegrated on a large scale within residential communities the system may become costeffective, especially with the associated solar array powering the system.Requirements- Net-zero for a 24-hour operation cycle - Assumed power supply from solar energy array - Scope of focus: ASHRAE Zone 2A during summer conditions- Maximum of 1 ton cooling capacity. - Maintain human comfort (ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 55-2017: 68°F-80°F, and      35%-60% relative humidity.

Residential Thermal Storage and Cooling

https://commons.erau.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1020&amp;context=sustainability-conference

Residential Thermal Storage and Cooling

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University