Mitigating Climate Change by The Development and Deployment of Solar water Heating Systems
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Solar energy is becoming an alternative for the limited fossil fuel resources. One of the
simplest and most direct applications of this energy is the conversion of solar radiation into
heat, which can be used in water heating systems. A commonly used solar collector is the
flat-plate. A lot of research has been conducted in order to analyse the flat-plate operation
and improve its efficiency. Conventional methods of water heating with hot plates, gas
burners, paraffin stoves, sawdust cookers, coal burners, firewood burners release C02 into
the atmosphere and other pollutants. This study presents an alternative way of heating water
using solar radiation thus optimizing fully the solar renewable energy which is eco - friendly.
Ogun State in Nigeria was used ss a case study. The solar radiation for the state was
explored with an annual average of 4. 775 kWhlm2/day recorded. The designed system
comprised storage tanks (Inlet and Outlet) and the collector unit which comprises wooden
casing (35.375 x 17.25cm), copper tube (9 meters long and 0.5mm~ in diameter), and
aluminium foil (33 x 17cm). Test result for the unlagged and lagged storage tank for water
temperature at various angles of inclination (2.5° - 20.0°) were on the average 27.8oC and
28.3°Crespectively for the inlet temperature and 60.1oC and 63.0°C for the outlet temperature
respectively. Also, the outlet temperature increased as the angle of inclination increased with
angle 15° (angle of inclination for optimum insolation) having the highest outlet temperature
of 64°C. Beyond 15°, the outlet temperature decreased. At an angle of 15°, the efficiency of
the SWHS was 72.5% and the power saved 2. 7985kW. The cost of the unit is put at N21,400
($145) as at August, 2012. In the area of agriculture, this Solar Water Heating System
(SWHS) can provide hot water for pen cleaning. In diary operations, it can be used to provide
heated water to clean or sterilize equipment and to warm and stimulate cows' udders. The
unit developed can be applied for the purpose of reducing the cost of energy, dealing with
environmental challenges and improving the use of energy (management and efficiency)
hence serving as a climate mitigation process as this can be extended for water heating for
domestic and other industrial purposes
Keywords
TK Electrical engineering. Electronics Nuclear engineering