Theoretical Investigation of Solar Powered Heat Recovery Panels in Buildings

Fossil fuels still have the largest share in global energy consumption although their hazardous effects on the environment are unequivocal. The carbon dioxide (CO2) is directly released into the atmosphere when fossil fuels such as coal, gas or oil are used. Increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases (CO2, CH4, N2O) cause crucial changes in global climate such as alterations in the biogeochemistry of the global nitrogen cycle and ongoing land use/cover change. Moreover, there is a consensus among scientists that the global warming is primarily caused by the greenhouse gas emissions. In this respect, minimization or even stabilization of CO2 concentration in the atmosphere is of vital importance for mitigating global environmental problems. Recent researches indicate that the buildings are responsible for more than 30% of greenhouse gas emissions in most of the developed countries. Energy consumption levels of buildings increase as a result of economic growth, expansion of building sectors and spread of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Buildings have a long life span lasting for 50 years or more and thus, minimization of energy consumption levels of buildings has a notable potential to contribute in mitigating greenhouse gas concentrations for longer periods. Most of the energy losses in buildings occur in heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. Therefore, recovering the waste heat from HVAC systems may considerably contribute to efficient energy utilization and hence, in degrading gas emissions. Heat recovery systems (HRSs) provide cost-effective energy as well as environmentally friendly. A significant amount of energy can be recovered via HRSs while exchanging the exhaust air with fresh air. In this paper, a solar powered HRS is theoretically investigated for the climatic conditions of Nottingham, UK. Fresh air temperature at the outlet of the HRS is determined for different values of ambient temperature, solar intensity and mass flow rate of air. Effects of main environmental parameters on electrical and thermal outputs of the HRS are also evaluated in the study.