Odigwe, I. A. and Ologun, O. O. and Olatokun, O.A. and Awelewa, A. A. and Agbetuyi, Ayoade F. and Samuel, I. A. (2013) A microcontroller-based Active Solar Water Heating System for Domestic Applications. INTERNATIONALJOURNAl of RENEWABlE ENERGY RESEARCH, 3 (4). pp. 837-845.
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Abstract
A potential solution to adequate and sustainable electricity supply problems in most developing countries is dependent on proper harnessing of solar (radiant) energy. Owing to tbe over dependence on fossil-fuel based energy, tbere is an exponential rise in carbon dioxide (C02) emissions into tbe atmosphere, thereby causing severe environmental degradation and ozone layer depletion. This paper seeks to apply tbe readily available radiant energy source to solar water heating, and establish possible economic benefits to its use in domestic applications for residents of Covenant University campus. The microcontroller-based active solar water heating system (ASWHS) is designed to effectively absorb radiant energy using solar collectors, and store it as hot water in a water tank via a direct current (DC) circulation pump powered by a stand-alone photovoltaic (PV) system. The design also incorporates an auxiliary electric heater which is put to use ou!y when tbere is insufficient radiant energy. A case study is reported to show tbe importance of tbe ASWHS for domestic water heating. The maximum design efficiency and tbe expected energy output of tbe solar collector throughout its working life is 79.94% and 498,225kWh respectively. A reduced dependence on grid supply and/or fossil-fuel based generator sets during hot water demand periods is recorded using tbe ASWHS witb a high payback period of 15 years; and a lower unit cost (US$0.01/kWh) oftbe ASWHS makes it more economically viable as compared to tbe unit cost (US$0.18/kWh) oftbe grid supply fortbe same amount of energy consumed
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | ASWHS, C02 emissions, microcontroller, solar energy, solar collector, unit cost. |
| Subjects: | T Technology > T Technology (General) T Technology > TK Electrical engineering. Electronics Nuclear engineering |
| Divisions: | Faculty of Engineering, Science and Mathematics > School of Engineering Sciences |
| Depositing User: | Mrs Hannah Akinwumi |
| Date Deposited: | 10 Mar 2016 11:17 |
| Last Modified: | 10 Mar 2016 11:17 |
| URI: | http://eprints.covenantuniversity.edu.ng/id/eprint/6445 |
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