Demonstrate Use of Solar Energy for Laundromat Washing and Drying. Final Report

摘要

A solar system was designed and installed to supply energy to a university laundry. The purpose of the project was to demonstrate the use of solar energy in both the washing and drying processes of laundry operations and to determine the expected gas energy savings. The limited performance data available indicate a 30% saving in gas consumption while laundry operations were running at about 35% capacity. Tt is expected that 40% or more will be saved at near capacity operation. The solar system, retrofitted to an existing building, is composed of 120 parabolic trough collectors, a 2500 gallon storage tank, and supporting pumps and heat exchangers. The system is operated with a minimum of controls and performed satisfactorily with no interruptions of laundry operations. The use of solar energy to displace gas energy in laundries appears to be practical. The amount of gas to be saved is limited by the desired temperatures of the preheated air to the dryers. (ERA citation 08:012171)