Solar energy is available all over the world in different intensities. Theoretically, the solar energy available on the surface of the earth is enough to support the energy requirements of the entire planet. However, in reality, progress and development of solar science and technology depends to a large extent on human desires and needs. This is due to the various barriers to overcome and to deal with the economics of practical utilization of solar energy.
This book introduces the rapid development and progress in the field of solar energy applications for science and technology: the advancement in the field of biological processes & chemical processes; electricity production; and mechanical operations & building operations enhanced by solar energy.
The volume covers bio-hydrogen production and other biological processes related to solar energy; chemical processes for the production of hydrogen from water and other endothermic processes using solar energy; the development of thermo-electric production through solar energy; the development of solar ponds for electric energy production; and the mechanical operation with solar energy; the building operation with solar energy optimization and urban planning.
This book is an invaluable resource for scientists who need the scientific and technological knowledge of the wide coverage of solar energy sciences and engineering applications. This will further encourage researchers, scientists, engineers and students to stimulate the use of solar energy as an alternative energy source.
Table of Contents:
1 Physics of solar energy and its applications
Napoleon Enteria & Aliakbar Akbarzadeh
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Solar energy and energy demand
1.3 Solar energy utilizations
1.4 Perspective
2 Exergy analysis of solar radiation processes
Ryszard Petela
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Exergy
2.2.1 Definition of exergy
2.2.2 Exergy annihilation law
2.2.3 Exergy of substance
2.2.4 Exergy of photon gas
2.2.5 Exergy of radiation emission
2.2.6 Exergy of radiation flux
2.3 Thermodynamic analysis
2.3.1 Significance of thermodynamic analysis
2.3.2 Energy balance equations
2.3.3 Exergy balance equations
2.3.4 Process efficiency
2.4 Solar radiation processes
2.4.1 Conversion of solar radiation into heat
2.4.2 Solar cylindrical-parabolic cooker
2.4.3 Solar chimney power plant
2.4.4 Photosynthesis
2.4.5 Photovoltaic
3 Exergy analysis of solar energy systems
Ibrahim Dincer & Tahir Abdul Hussain Ratlamwala
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Energy and exergy aspects and analyses
3.3 Case studies
3.3.1 Case study 1: Exergy analysis of an integrated solar, ORC system for power production
3.3.2 Case study 2: Exergy analysis of solar photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) system for power and heat production
3.3.3 Case study 3: Exergy assessment of an integrated solar PV/T and triple effect absorption cooling system for hydrogen and cooling production
3.4 Concluding remarks
4 Solar energy collection and storage
Brian Norton
4.1 Solar thermal energy collectors
4.1.1 Overview
4.1.2 Flat plate solar energy collectors
4.1.3 Evacuated tube collectors
4.1.4 Collector components
4.2 Integral collector storage systems
4.2.1 Integral passive solar water heaters
4.2.2 Salt gradient solar ponds
4.3 Concentrators
4.3.1 Introduction
4.3.2 Concentration systems
4.4 Solar water heating
4.4.1 Overview
4.4.2 Applicability of particular collector types to specific outlet temperatures and diffuse fractions
4.4.3 Freeze protection methods
4.4.4 Sensible and latent heat storage
4.4.5 Analytical representation of thermosyphon solar energy water heater
4.4.6 Solar water heater design
4.5 Solar energy collection and storage for drying crops
4.6 Solar energy collector and storage for thermal power generation
4.7 Overall system optimization
5 Basics of the photovoltaic thermal module
Krishnan Sumathy
5.1 Introduction
5.2 PV/T devices
5.2.1 Liquid PV/T collector
5.2.2 Air PV/T collector
5.2.3 Ventilated PV with heat recovery
5.2.4 PV/T concentrator
5.3 PV/T module concepts
5.3.1 Different types of PV/T modules
5.4 Techniques to inprove PV/T performance
5.5 Conclusion
6 Thermal modelling of parabolic trough collectors
Soteris Kalogirou
6.1 Introduction
6.2 The energy model
6.2.1 Convection heat transfer between the HTF and the receiver pipe
6.2.2 Conduction heat transfer through the receiver pipe wall
6.2.3 Heat transfer from the receiver pipe to the glass envelope
6.2.4 Conduction heat transfer through the glass envelope
6.2.5 Heat transfer from the glass envelope to the atmosphere
6.2.6 Solar irradiation absorption
6.3 Code testing
6.4 Conclusions
7 Salinity gradient solar ponds
Abhijit Date & Aliakbar Akbarzadeh
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Solar pond – design philosophy
7.2.1 Sustainable use of resources
7.2.2 Best site characteristics
7.2.3 Performance and sizing
7.2.4 Liner, salt and water
7.2.5 Transient performance prediction
7.3 Solar pond – construction and operation
7.3.1 Set-up and maintenance
7.3.2 Turbidity control
7.3.3 Heat extraction
7.3.4 Performance monitoring
7.3.5 EEE (Energy, Environmental and Economic) benefit evaluation
7.4 Solar ponds – worldwide
7.4.1 Solar ponds – Israel
7.4.2 Solar ponds – Australia
7.4.3 Solar ponds – USA
7.4.4 Solar ponds – Tibet, China
7.4.5 Solar ponds – India
7.5 Solar ponds – applications
7.5.1 Heating
7.5.2 Aquaculture
7.5.3 Desalination
7.5.4 Power production
7.6 Future directions
8 The solar thermal electrochemical production of energetic molecules: Step
Stuart Licht
8.1 Introduction
8.2 Solar thermal electrochemical production of energetic molecules: An overview
8.2.1 STEP theoretical background
8.2.2 STEP solar to chemical energy conversion efficiency
8.2.3 Identification of STEP consistent endothermic processes
8.3 Demonstrated step processes
8.3.1 STEP hydrogen
8.3.2 STEP carbon capture
8.3.3 STEP iron
8.3.4 STEP chlorine and magnesium production (chloride electrolysis)
8.4 Step constraints
8.4.1 STEP limiting equations
8.4.2 Predicted STEP efficiencies for solar splitting of CO2
8.4.3 Scaleability of STEP processes
8.5 Conclusions
9 Solar hydrogen production and CO2 recycling
Zhaolin Wang & Greg F. Naterer
9.1 Sustainable fuels with solar-based hyrogen production and carbon dioxide recycling
9.2 Solar-based hydrogen production with water splitting methods
9.2.1 Solar-to-hydrogen efficiency of water splitting processes
9.2.2 Matching the temperature requirements of solar-based hydrogen production methods
9.2.3 Thermolysis, thermal decomposition and thermochemical methods
9.2.4 Water electrolysis
9.2.5 Photoelectrolysis and photoelectrochemical water splitting
9.2.6 Photochemical, photocatalytic, photodissociation, photodecomposition, and photolysis
9.2.7 Hybrid and other hydrogen production methods
9.3 Solar-based CO2 recycling with hydrogen
9.4 Summary
10 Photoelectrochemical cells for hydrogen production from solar energy
Tania Lopes, Luisa Andrade & Adelio Mendes
10.1 Introduction
10.2 Photoelectrochemical cells systems overview
10.2.1 Solar water-splitting arrangements
10.2.2 Working principles of photoelectrochemical cells for water-splitting
10.2.3 Materials overview
10.2.4 Stability issues – photocorrosion
10.2.5 PEC reactors
10.3 Electrochemical impendance spectroscopy
10.3.1 Fundamentals
10.3.2 Electrical analogues
10.3.3 EIS analysis of PEC cells for water-splitting
10.4 Fundamentals in electrochemistry applied to photoelectrochemical cells
10.4.1 Semiconductor energy
10.4.2 Continuity and kinetic equations
10.5 Pec cells bottlenecks and future prospects
11 Photobiohydrogen production and high-performance photobioreactor
Qiang Liao, Cheng-Long Guo, Rong Chen, Xun Zhu & Yong-Zhong Wang
11.1 Introduction
11.2 General description of photobiohydrogen production
11.2.1 Photoautotrophic hydrogen production
11.2.2 Photoheterotrophic hydrogen production
11.2.3 Critical issues in photobiohydrogen production
11.3 Genetic and metabolic engineering
11.4 High-performance photobioreactor
11.4.1 Modification of photobioreactor configurations
11.4.2 Optimization of the operating parameters
11.4.3 Application of cell immobilization
11.5 Challenges and future directions
12 Decontamination of water by combined solar advanced oxidation processes and biotreatment
Sixto Malato, Isabel Oller, Pilar Fernández-Ibáñez & Manuel Ignacio Maldonado
12.1 Introduction
12.2 Solar photo-fenton
12.2.1 Solar photo-Fenton hardware
12.3 Strategy for combining solar advanced oxidation processes and biotreatment
12.3.1 Average oxidation state
12.3.2 Activated sludge respirometry
12.3.3 Zahn-Wellens test
12.3.4 Factors to be considered in designing a combined system
12.4 Combining solar advanced oxidation processes and biotreatment: Case studies
12.4.1 Case study A: An unsuccessful AOP/biological process
12.4.2 Case study B: A successful AOP/biological process
13 Solar driven advanced oxidation processes for water decontamination and disinfection
Erick R. Bandala & Brian W. Raichle
13.1 Introduction
13.2 Solar radiation collection for AOPs applications
13.3 Solar homogenous photocatalysis
13.3.1 Degradation of organic pollutants by solar driven photo-Fenton processes
13.3.2 Microorganisms inactivation by solar driven photo-Fenton processes
13.4 Solar heterogenous photocatalysis
13.4.1 Degradation of organic pollutants by solar driven heterogeneous photocatalysis
13.4.2 Microorganisms inactivation by solar driven heterogeneous photocatalysis
13.5 Challenges and perspectives
13.5.1 Photorreactor design
13.5.2 Suspended vs. immobilized photocatalyst
13.5.3 Visible light active photocatalyst materials
13.6 Conclusions
14 Solar energy conversion with thermal cycles
Giampaolo Manzolini & Paolo Silva
14.1 Introduction
14.2 Solar concentration concept in thermal systems
14.3 Concentrating solar technologies
14.3.1 Linear focus
14.3.2 Parabolic trough
14.3.3 Reflectors
14.3.4 Heat collection element
14.3.5 Structure
14.3.6 Parabolic trough performance
14.3.7 Linear fresnel
14.3.8 Heat collection element
14.3.9 Reflectors
14.3.10 Linear Fresnel performance
14.3.11 Cost comparison of linear focus technologies
14.3.12 Point focus
14.3.13 Central receiver systems
14.3.14 Collector field
14.3.15 Central receiver
14.3.16 Solar dish
14.3.17 Receiver
14.3.18 Power system
14.4 Heat transfer fluids and storage
14.4.1 Heat transfer fluids
14.4.2 Storage
14.5 From heat to power
14.5.1 Rankine cycle
14.5.2 Rankine cycle performance
14.5.3 Stirling cycle
14.5.4 Stirling configurations
14.5.5 Stirling working fluids
14.6 Economics and future perspectives
15 Solar hybrid air-conditioning design for buildings in hot and humid climates
Kwong-Fai Fong
15.1 Introduction
15.2 Design approaches of solar air-conditioning
15.2.1 The solar-electric approach
15.2.2 The solar-thermal approach
15.2.3 A hybrid approach to system design
15.2.4 A hybrid approach to energy sources and system design
15.3 Performance evaluation of various solar air-conditioning systems
15.3.1 Principal solar-thermal air-conditioning systems
15.3.2 SHAC with load sharing
15.3.3 SHAc with radiant cooling
15.3.4 SHAC coordinated with new indoor ventilation strategies
15.3.5 SHAC for premises with high latent load
15.4 Application potential of SHAC in various hot and humid cities in southeast asia
15.5 Conclusion and future development
16 Solar-desiccant air-conditioning systems
Napoleon Enteria
16.1 Introduction
16.1.1 Energy and environment
16.1.2 The building environment
16.2 The basic concept
16.2.1 Thermodynamic processes
16.2.2 Advantages of the open systems
16.2.3 Desiccant materials
16.3 Solid-based system
16.3.1 Basic concept
16.3.2 Typical systems
16.3.3 Modified systems
16.3.4 Hybrid systems
16.4 Liquid-based system
16.4.1 Basic concept
16.4.2 Typical systems
16.4.3 Modified systems
16.4.4 Hybrid systems
16.5 System application
16.5.1 Countries
16.5.2 Temperate regions
16.5.3 Sub-temperate regions
16.5.4 Hot and humid regions
16.6 Future and perspectives
17 Building integrated concentrating solar systems
Daniel Chemisana & Tapas K. Mallick
17.1 Introduction to building integration of solar energy systems
17.1.1 Solar thermal systems and building integration requirements
17.1.2 Solar photovoltaic systems and building integration requirements
17.2 Building integrated concentrating systems
17.2.1 Physics of concentrating solar system
17.2.2 Types of concentrators
17.2.3 Building integrated concentrating photovoltaics
17.2.4 Building integrated solar thermal (concentrating)
17.2.5 Concentrating systems and building integration requirements
17.3 Conclusions
18 Solar energy use in buildings
Ursula Eicker
18.1 Introduction
18.2 Passive solar gains in cold and moderate climatic regions
18.2.1 Passive solar gains by glazing
18.3 Total energy transmittance of glazing
18.4 New glazing systems
18.5 Transparent thermal insulation (TTI)
18.6 Operational principle of transparent thermal insulation
18.7 Materials used and construction
18.8 Heat storage by interior building elements
18.9 Component temperatures for sudden temperature increases
18.10 Solar gains, shading strategies and air conditioning of buildings
18.11 Influence of the urban form on solar energy use in buildings
18.12 Residential buildings in an urban context
18.13 Site density effect and urban shading in moderate climates
18.14 Climate effect
18.15 Solar gains and glazing
18.16 Office buildings in an urban context
19 The contribution of bioclimatic architecture in the improvement of outdoor urban spaces
Konstantina Vasilakopoulou, Dionysia Kolokotsa & Mattheos Santamouris
19.1 Introduction
19.2 Mitigation strategies
19.2.1 Planted areas
19.2.2 Cool materials
19.2.3 Shadings
19.2.4 Thermal sinks
19.2.5 Combination and interplay of mitigation strategies
19.3 Experimental analysis of outdoor spaces
19.3.1 Assessment of outdoor comfort conditions
19.3.2 Assessment of bioclimatic technologies
19.4 Conclusions and future prospects
20 Legislation to foment the use of renewable energies and solar thermal energy in building construction: The case of Spain
Javier Ordoñez
20.1 Introduction
20.2 European regulatory framework for renewable energy sources in the context of the energy performance of buildings
20.3 Application of EU regulations in member states: The case in spain
20.3.1 National action plan for renewable energies
20.3.2 Basic procedure for the certification of energy efficiency
20.3.3 The spanish technical building code
20.3.4 Spanish regulations for thermal installations in buildings
20.4 The solar thermal system
20.5 The spanish technical building code as a legal means to foment the use of renewable energies in building construction
20.6 Measures to foment the use of renewable energies: Government incentives
20.7 Economic impact of solar thermal energy
20.8 Conclusions
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