The Machinery Hall Experiment
Synopsis:
With such a large suggestion being placed before the IPRO
panel and the University itself we thought it both academically and economically
sound
to test the proposed panels for ourselves under real Chicago climatic
conditions. To do this will not only allow the students to "get their hands
dirty"
but will provide actual data which can be used to persuade the powers that be to
take a second look at not only the energy use of Keating Hall but
at the energy usage campus wide.
The first part of the experiment would be do design a system to collect energy,
transfer the energy, and lastly use the energy. Deciding the design
from the previous semester to be sound we then needed to make a price estimate
so this experiment can be constructed in following semesters.
Locating products and pricing provides a launching point for those who will do
the actual purchasing and construction (sadly shipping time and economic
constraints kept us from doing it). The following is a rough estimate of the
cost as tax and shipping is excluded.
Solar Collector...Nancy is supplying
80 gal. water tank....$324
Brazed heat exchanger...$159
Water pump...$134
1/2" Aluminum Tubing (36')...$75
2 Hobo devices...$98
The third step was understanding a connection to use. Some of the members
devised a connection using 2x4 where there will be attachments to the roof at
either end of the board and then two pipe penetrations. All the collectors will
be bolted to the boards...not the roof.
With the hopes of construction on machinery squashed for the semester, it was
decided that building a system, one that could be placed outside and
get data, would be an excellent experience. We will learn first hand how a flat
panel collector can be constructed as well as a heat exchanger.
The final goal is to have both implemented into a system that circulated the
water and stores it in a tank with temperature readings being taken
from the tank.
Click here for more
information on solar evacuated tubes.