Building-integrated solar energy system
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solar thermal systems are inefficient in providing simultaneous space heating, space cooling, water heating, and electricity generation to buildings due to the conflict between high solar collector temperature requirements for efficient heat collection and heat loss through conduction, convection, and radiation.
Innovation Solution
A closed-loop conduit network with a working fluid that undergoes phase change within a vacuum environment, minimizing temperature differentials and heat loss, coupled with an impermeable housing for insulation, and integrated heat transfer devices for energy distribution and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If solar collector temperature is increased to improve heat energy collection efficiency, then more usable heat energy can be collected, but heat loss to the environment via conduction, convection, and radiation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies vacuum insulation by evacuating the space between the solar collector absorber plate and the insulating housing, creating a vacuum environment that eliminates conduction and convection heat loss pathways. This allows the collector to operate at high temperatures for efficient heat collection while minimizing energy loss to the environment through radiation-only heat transfer pathways.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the insulation medium from atmospheric pressure (with air molecules enabling conduction and convection) to vacuum (eliminating gas molecules). This parameter change fundamentally alters the heat transfer mechanisms, allowing high-temperature operation with minimal heat loss.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional solar thermal systems are used, then they can provide heating or cooling functions, but they cannot simultaneously provide space heating, space cooling, water heating, and electricity generation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal solar thermal system where a single high-temperature collector can serve multiple functions: space heating through heat exchangers, space cooling through absorption chillers, water heating through domestic hot water systems, and electricity generation through heat engines. The system uses a working fluid that circulates through multiple parallel pathways, each serving different end-uses, thereby achieving multi-functionality from a single collector.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the thermal energy distribution into multiple independent pathways: one pathway to space heating systems, another to water heating systems, a third to absorption chillers for cooling, and a fourth to heat engines for electricity generation. This segmentation allows each function to operate independently while drawing from the same high-temperature heat source.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system achieves high efficiency in energy collection and distribution, reducing energy consumption and costs while providing comprehensive energy solutions to buildings, including space heating, cooling, hot water, and electricity generation.
Implementation Method 1
The entire inner surface of the closed-loop conduit network is in contact with a working fluid such that any substantial temperature differentials of the working fluid become negligible across the system
Implementation Method 2
The primary limitation with existing solar thermal systems is a conflict between two properties. The first property being that solar thermal systems are most efficient when its solar collectors operate at ambient temperature, that is, the hotter a solar collector gets above ambient, the more heat energy it loses to the environment via conduction, convection, and radiation.
Implementation Method 3
the closed-loop conduit network is evacuated to a pressure such that the working fluid experiences phase change whenever heat energy is added or removed
Implementation Method 4
the working fluid received by the heat transfer interface obtains heat energy from the solar absorber, evaporates, and flows through either: the heat exchanger, the absorption chiller, the air heat exchanger, or the heat engine
Implementation Method 5
at which the working fluid releases heat energy, condenses, and collects at a liquid reservoir
Implementation Method 6
The thermal energy of solar radiation is absorbed by an absorber body in a solar thermal collector
Implementation Method 7
a heat exchanger connected in parallel to the heat transfer interface and located inside a thermal storage tank containing a thermal mass for storing heat energy
Implementation Method 8
an absorption chiller connected in parallel to the heat exchanger and coupled with a fan coil unit to provide space cooling
Implementation Method 9
a heat engine coupled with a generator to provide electricity and connected in parallel to the air heat exchanger
Data Source
AI summary
A building-integrated solar energy system is disclosed that comprises an evacuated closed-loop conduit network circulating a working fluid through a solar thermal collector and at least one heat usage device, wherein the effective entirety of the surfaces of the closed-loop conduit network are in contact with the working fluid such that phase change occurs whenever heat energy is added by the solar thermal collector or removed by a heat usage device. The working fluid is adiabatically isolated and contained in a low pressure environment within the closed-loop conduit network. The full surface contact and low-pressure isolation of the working fluid dramatically reduces temperature differentials and energy losses, allowing for highly efficient and cost-effective heat collection and distribution.