Date of Award
5-2014
Degree Type
Report
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Committee Chair(s)
Byard Wood
Committee
Byard Wood
Committee
Heng Ban
Committee
Robert Spall
Abstract
Solar energy in a variety of applications is again becoming more widely used. Solar collectors have been installed during the construction of two Utah State University buildings: Wetlands Discovery located in Kaysville, Utah and Swaner Nature Preserve located in Park City, Utah. While these systems are capable of capturing a significant amount of solar energy, problems have been encountered when the demand is less than the system’s capacity. This project report documents the problems encountered while operating the two solar water heating systems and how the systems were modified to be operational year round under typical operating conditions. The peak solar gain for the collectors was calculated and modeled to determine the amount of heat that would need to be rejected when the system stalled. Based on these findings, modifications were made to the two solar collector systems and the performance was monitored and analyzed. The systems can now operate throughout the year with minimal maintenance.
Recommended Citation
Cook, Zachary A., "Retrofitting Two Solar Hot Water Systems for Year Round Operation" (2014). All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023. 372.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/372
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