Development of a Modular Solar Domestic Hot Water System for Department of Defense Barracks

摘要

This report describes the development of a modular concept for solar domestic water heating on Department of Defense (DOD) barracks buildings. In this approach, the solar energy system consists of only two major components: a collector module and a heat-exchanger-pump-storage tank (HPS) module. The collector module is comprised of a three-collector assembly on an aluminum rack for ground or roof mounting, designed for the interconnection of several modules. The HPS module contains the system pump, heat exchanger, thermal storage vessel, expansion tank, controls, Btu meter, and other minor components. A survey of existing DOD barracks indicated that only three discrete sizes of HPS modules would be required to service approximately 75 percent of the entire barracks inventory nationwide. The appropriate size for a given application is selected by a simple, manual procedure which requires a minimum of user input. The features of the installed system include provisions for system filling/draining, freeze protection, and flow balancing. A prototype modular system was placed into operation in March 1983 on an 80-person barracks at the Naval Construction Battalion Center in Port Hueneme, CA. This system, consisting of approximately 900 sq ft of collectors and a 1200-gal tank, is operating properly with a thermal performance near its design goal. Although the system is not economically feasible in current market conditions, its cost effectiveness will improve as fuel prices rise. (Author)