SOLAR INDUSTRIAL PROCESS HEAT POTENTIAL IN ALEXANDRIA,EGYPT

The present paper investigates the economic viability of the solar domestic hot water systems for industrial processes in Alexandria, Egypt. Also, the optimum parameters of such systems in Alexandria, Egypt have been determined.

The industries covered in the present study are soft drinks, and vegetable oil. The weather data for Alexandria, Egypt (latitude 31.2°) was used. The data file of Alexandria contains monthly average values of daily radiation on a horizontal surface, clearness index, ambient temperature, wind speed, and relative humidity.

The economic calculations for this study are based on life-cycle savings calculations. The f-chart design method is used to estimate the long-term annual thermal performance of solar domestic hot water systems.

The main results obtained can be summarized in the following: 1) solar domestic hot water systems are preferable alternatives to the conventional heating systems currently used in food industries in Egypt. 2) significant life-cycle savings can be achieved with solar heating systems.