Monolithic silica aerogel in superinsulating glazings

Silica aerogel is an open-pored porous transparent material with optical and thermal properties that makes the material very interesting as an insulation material in windows. A number of different aerogels have been investigated for their optical and thermal performance. High thermal resistance of aerogel was found for all the investigated samples and the samples showed very high solar as well as light transmittance. However, all the investigated aerogel samples showed a tendency to scatter the transmitted light, resulting in a reduced optical quality when the aerogels are integrated in glazings. This phenomenon is considered as being the main obstacle to incorporating the material in clear glazings, but a significant improvement of the optical quality of aerogel has been observed during the last five years. A number of prototypical evacuated 500×500×28 mm³ aerogel double glazed units employing a new edge seal technique were manufactured and characterized for their optical and thermal properties. As expected, the same scattering of light was found in the aerogel glazings as in the aerogel samples, but excellent thermal performance was found, indicating a glazing type that, from a thermal point of view, is without competition in heating dominated climates.     

PCM-facade-panel for daylighting and room heating

Double glazings combined with phase change materials (PCM) result in daylighting elements with promising properties. Light transmittances in the range of 0.4 can be achieved with such facade panels. Compared to a double glazing without PCM, a facade panel with PCM shows about 30% less heat losses in south oriented facades. Solar heat gains are also reduced by about 50%. This results in calculated U_eff-values of −0.3 to −0.5 W m⁻² K⁻¹, depending on PCM used. For an optimised panel, we calculated an U_eff-value of −0.6 W m⁻² K⁻¹. Although the U_eff-value of a double glazing is −0.8 W m⁻² K⁻¹, the PCM-systems may prove advantageous in lightweight constructed buildings due to their equalised energy balance during the course of day. Facade panels with PCM improve thermal comfort considerably in winter, especially during evenings. In summer, such systems show low heat gains, which reduces peak cooling loads during the day. Additional heat gains in the evening can be drawn off by night-time ventilation. If a PCM with a low melting temperature of up to 30 °C is used, thermal comfort in summer will also improve during the day, compared to a double glazing without or with inner sun protection. A homogeneous appearance of the PCM-systems is achievable by use of a concealment, like a screen-print glazing.     

Optical characterisation of materials and systems for daylighting

The measurement of BRTF (Bi-directional reflectance and transmittance function) is described using a new instrument which is capable of supplying BRTF data and algorithms for use in computer simulations directly on diffuse materials and indirectly on large samples and sub-systems. A high sensitivity and dynamic range is needed to achieve low minimum observable BRTF and the role of angular resolution are discussed with examples. Forward scattering with extended tails is found to dominate pigmented polycarbonate. Slatted blinds are discussed as examples of systems where azimuth is important.     

Measurements of solar radiation and illuminance on vertical surfaces and daylighting implications

There is a growing concern about the rapid development of infrastructure and building projects and their likely impacts on the environment. Particular concerns have been raised about office building developments and energy consumption issues. In recent years, there has been increasing interest in using daylight to save energy in buildings. Lighting control integrated with daylighting is recognised as an important and useful strategy in terms of energy-efficient building design. It is believed that proper daylighting schemes can help reduce the electrical demand and contribute to achieving environmentally sustainable building developments. This paper presents a simple method for estimating the likely energy savings in electric lighting due to daylighting and the possible cooling penalty. Vertical solar radiation and illuminance data measurements are described. Cumulative frequency distributions of daylight availability are reported. The likely energy savings in office buildings are determined based on on–off and top-up controls, and the energy and environmental implications are discussed.     

Improved solutions for temperature and thermal power delivery profiles in linear solar collectors

For the conversion of absorbed sunlight into useful thermal power, we demonstrate that the profiles of absorber temperature, fluid temperature and thermal power delivery along linear solar collectors can be solved in closed form even when the collector heat-loss coefficient is far from constant over the collector operating range. This analytic solution eliminates the errors inherent in earlier approximate solutions, and makes the dependence of collector performance on component properties transparent. An example for a realistic solar concentrator illustrates the improvement in prediction accuracy.     

Optical properties of liquids for direct absorption solar thermal energy systems

A method for experimentally determining the extinction index of four liquids (water, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, and Therminol VP-1) commonly used in solar thermal energy applications was developed. In addition to the extinction index, we report the refractive indices available within the literature for these four fluids. The final value reported is the solar-weighted absorption coefficient for the fluids demonstrating each fluid’s baseline capacity for absorbing solar energy. Water is shown to be the best absorber of solar energy of the four fluids, but it is still a weak absorber, only absorbing 13% of the energy. These values represent the baseline potential for a fluid to be utilized in a direct absorption solar thermal collector.     

Potential of carbon nanohorn-based suspensions for solar thermal collectors

The optical characterization is reported of a new fluid consisting of single-wall carbon nanohorns and ethylene glycol for solar energy applications. Carbon nanohorns play a significant role in enhancing sunlight absorption with respect to the pure base fluid. The obtained results are compared with those obtained for fluids suspending more conventional carbon forms, i.e. carbon-black particles. We found that nanohorn spectral features are far more favorable than those of amorphous carbon for the specific application. This result shows that carbon nanohorn-based nanofluids can be useful for increasing the efficiency and compactness of thermal solar devices, reducing both environmental impact and costs.     

Optical properties of dense zirconium and tantalum diborides for solar thermal absorbers

Ultra-high temperature ceramics (UHTCs) are interesting materials for a large variety of applications under extreme conditions. This paper reports on the production and extensive characterization of highly dense, pure zirconium and tantalum diborides, with particular interest to their potential utilization in the thermal solar energy field. Monolithic bulk samples are produced by Spark Plasma Sintering starting from elemental reactants or using metal diboride powders previously synthesized by Self-propagating High-temperature Synthesis (SHS). Microstructural and optical properties of products obtained by the two processing methods have been comparatively evaluated. We found that pure diborides show a good spectral selectivity, which is an appealing characteristic for solar absorber applications. No, or very small, differences in the optical properties have been evidenced when the two investigated processes adopted for the fabrication of dense TaB₂ and ZrB₂, respectively, are compared.     

A bilinear model for the thermal behaviour of a point focusing solar collector

An important task when designing point focusing (paraboloidal) solar-collectors is to model the thermal behaviour of their receivers by an approximate dynamic model in view of thermal loop automatization. In general, this is very difficult or impossible by studying the exact physical phenomena which occur in the receiver. However, approximations can be made and approximate models can always be derived. Using filtering and estimation theory these models can be identified to represent reality very well.     

A detailed numerical model for flat-plate solar thermal devices

A one-dimensional transient numerical model for flat-plate solar thermal devices is here presented.The model permits the analysis of different configurations and components such as multiple-glazing, transparent insulation, air-gaps, surface coatings, opaque insulation and energy accumulation in water or PCM internal stores.In order to obtain information of practical interest, the solar thermal devices are modelled following virtual testing procedures in accordance to the experimental test methods described by European and International standards.This paper describes the basis of the model and shows some comparison of numerical and experimental data as an example of the validation process that has been carried out in order to assess the credibility of the numerical model. For simplicity, the explanation is restricted to standard multiple-glazed flat-plate collectors. The use of the model in other more complicated configurations as in transparently insulated covers or integrated collector storage devices with phase change materials will be presented in other separate papers.     

Thermal and exergy analysis of solar air collectors with passive augmentation techniques

One of the main disadvantages of solar air collectors in practical applications is their relatively low efficiency. In this experimental investigation, the shape and arrangement of absorber surfaces of the collectors were reorganised to provide better heat transfer surfaces suitable for the passive heat transfer augmentation techniques. The performance of such solar air collectors with staggered absorber sheets and attached fins on absorber surface were tested. The exergy relations are delivered for different solar air collectors. It is seen that the largest irreversibility is occurring at the conventional solar collector in which collector efficiency is smallest.     

Theoretical variations of the thermal performance of different solar collectors and solar combi systems as function of the varying yearly weather conditions in Denmark

The thermal performances of solar collectors and solar combi systems with different solar fractions are studied under the influence of the Danish design reference year, DRY data file, and measured weather data from a solar radiation measurement station situated at the Technical University of Denmark in Kgs. Lyngby. The data from DRY data file are used for any location in Denmark. The thermal performances of the solar heating systems are calculated by means of validated computer models. The measured yearly solar radiation varies by approximately 23% in the period from 1990 until 2002, and the investigations show that it is not possible to predict the yearly solar radiation on a tilted surface based on the yearly global radiation.The annual thermal performance of solar combi systems cannot with reasonable approximation be fitted to a linear function of the annual total radiation on the solar collector or the annual global radiation. Solar combi systems with high efficient solar collectors are more influenced by weather variations from one year to another than systems with low efficient solar collectors.The annual thermal performance of solar collectors cannot be predicted from the global radiation, but both the annual thermal performance and the annual utilized solar energy can with a reasonable approximation be fitted to a linear function of the yearly solar radiation on the collector for both flat plate and evacuated tubular solar collectors. Also evacuated tubular solar collectors utilize less sunny years with large parts of diffuse radiation relatively better than flat plate collectors.     

Structure–property correlations of polymeric films for transparent insulation wall applications. Part 1: Solar optical properties

In this paper the results of a research project to establish a fundamental understanding of the physical relationships between the material structure and solar optical properties of polymeric transparent insulation (TI) materials are described. First, a systematic characterization of potential materials for TI applications in respect to their relevant physical properties in the solar radiation range was done. Second, based on the investigation of polymer films with different thicknesses model functions for the solar optical properties were established. Third, the solar optical properties were interpreted on base of polymerphysical relations. The characterization in the solar range and the calculation of solar optical film properties have shown, that the solar extinction is dominated by scattering occurring mainly at the surface. A linear relationship between the solar optical thickness and the film thickness was obtained for film thicknesses ranging from 12 to 150 μm. For various amorphous and semi-crystalline films the surface roughness correlated well with the solar optical thickness.     

Structure–property correlations of polymeric films for transparent insulation wall applications. Part 2: Infrared optical properties

In this paper the results of a research project to establish a fundamental understanding of the physical relationships between the material structure and the infrared optical properties of polymeric transparent insulation (TI) materials are described. First, a systematic characterization of potential materials for TI applications in respect to their relevant physical properties in the infrared radiation range was done. Second, based on the investigation of polymer films with different thicknesses model functions for the infrared optical properties were established. Third, the infrared optical properties were interpreted on base of polymerphysical relations. The characterization in the infrared range and the calculation of infrared optical film properties have revealed, that various functional groups of the macromolecular structure are highly absorbing. For polymers with service temperatures of about 100 °C the carbon–oxygen single bond was identified as highly effective. For 50 μm thick films a good correlation between the concentration of the functional carbon–oxygen group and the non-spectral infrared optical thickness as well as the hemispherical emittance was found. An outstanding performance profile for TI wall applications with black absorbers was obtained for cellulose based materials.     

Fuzzy control system for thermal and visual comfort in building

In the era of informational and technological breakthrough, the automatically controlled living and working environment is expected to become a commonly used service. This paper deals with dynamically controlled thermal and illumination responses of built environment in real-time conditions. The aim is to harmonize thermal and optical behaviour of a building by coordinating energy flows that pass through the transparent part of the envelope. For this purpose, a test chamber with an opening on the southern side was built. Changeable geometry of the opening is achieved by the automated external roller blind. A fuzzy control system enables the positioning of the shading device according to the desired indoor set points and the outdoor conditions. Through the experiments, the fuzzy controllers were tuned and gradually improved. Some sets of the experiments are presented here to illustrate the process.     

Measurements of thermal properties of insulation materials by using transient plane source technique

The paper reports on the measuring technique and values of the measured thermal properties of some commonly used insulation materials produced by local manufacturers in Saudi Arabia. Among the thermal properties of insulation materials, the thermal conductivity (k) is regarded to be the most important since it affects directly the resistance to transmission of heat (R-value) that the insulation material must offer. Other thermal properties, like the specific heat capacity (c) and density (ρ), are also important only under transient conditions. A well-suited and accurate method for measuring the thermal conductivity and diffusivity of materials is the transient plane source (TPS) technique, which is also called the hot disk (HD). This new technique is used in the present study to measure the thermal conductivity of some insulation materials at room temperature as well as at different elevated temperature levels expected to be reached in practice when these insulations are used in air-conditioned buildings in hot climates. Besides, thermal conductivity values of the same type of insulation material are measured for samples with different densities; generally, higher density insulations are used in building roofs than in walls. The results show that the thermal conductivity increases with increasing temperature and decreases with increasing density over the temperature and density ranges considered in the present investigation.     

Integrated solar collector–storage tank system with thermal diode

Water heating by utilizing solar energy for domestic use is a well established technique. However, most systems consist of the solar collector and storage tank as separate units and require piping and extra thermal insulation for both. This work considers an integrated system, which is easy to manufacture or to modify the storage tank to operate as a solar collector as well as a storage tank. The system contains a thermal diode to prevent reverse circulation at night-time. A prototype is constructed and a mathematical model is developed to study the thermal performance of the integrated system. It is found that the thermal efficiency of the suggested system is comparable with conventional systems. Also, simulation indicated that the thermal diode significantly reduces heat losses at night-time.     

Radiative properties and heat transfer characteristics of fiber-loaded silica aerogel composites for thermal insulation

The radiative properties and heat transfer in fiber-loaded silica aerogel composites were investigated using modified anomalous diffraction theory in a combined heat conduction and radiation model. The randomly parameterized 2-D fiber distribution was generated to simulate a very realistic material structure. The finite volume method was then used to solve a two flux radiation model and the steady-state energy equation to calculate the effective thermal conductivity of the composite. The numerical results provide theoretic guidelines for material designs with optimum parameters, such as the inclination angle, diameter and length-to-diameter ratio of the fibers. The results show that the fiber extinction coefficient increases as the fiber length-to-diameter ratio is reduced or the fiber inclination angle is increased. The effective thermal conductivity of the fiber-loaded aerogel can be reduced by reducing the fiber length-to-diameter ratio and the inclination angle and by moderately increasing the fiber volume fraction. The 4–6 μm diameter silicon fibers are optimum for high-temperature thermal insulation.     

Modeling the potential for thermal concentrating solar power technologies

In this paper we explore the tradeoffs between thermal storage capacity, cost, and other system parameters in order to examine possible evolutionary pathways for thermal concentrating solar power (CSP) technologies. A representation of CSP performance that is suitable for incorporation into economic modeling tools is developed. We also combined existing data in order to estimate the global solar resource characteristics needed for analysis of CSP technologies. We find that, as the fraction of electricity supplied by CSP technologies grows, the application of thermal CSP technologies might progress from current hybrid plants, to plants with a modest amount of thermal storage, and potentially even to plants with sufficient thermal storage to provide base load generation capacity. The regional and global potential of thermal CSP technologies was then examined using the GCAM long-term integrated assessment model.