TABLE OF CONTENT

A. Acknowledgement
B. Declaration
C. Certificate
D. Abstract
E. Table of content
1) Active Architecture and its Fundamentals
1.1 Importance of Active Architecture
1.2 Advantages
1.3 Disadvantages
1.4 Difference between Active And Passive
Architecture

2) Literature Case Studies

3) Active Design Strategies
3.1. Active solar heating
3.2. Active solar cooling
3.3. Solar water heating
3.4. Solar lighting
4) Mechanical Devices
4.1. Energy collection Devices
4.1.1 Solar collectors
4.2. Energy storage devices
4.2.1 Water tanks
4.2.2 Underground storage
4.2.3 Packed bed storage
4.3. Energy Distribution devices
4.3.1 Heat pump
4.3.2 Radiant slab
4.3.3 heat transfer fan
5) Impact of Active Design
5.1. Environmental

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 5.2. social

6) Conclusion
7) Bibliography

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 LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1.1 Active Solar space heating………………………….…10

Figure 1.2 Active Solar Cooling………………………………….10
Figure 1.3 Active Solar Water Heating………………………..….11
Figure 1.4 Passive Solar Heating………………………………….12
Figure 1.5 Passive Solar Lighting…………………………………13
Figure 1.6 Passive Solar Cooling………………………………….14
Figure 2.1 Liquid Based Air Cooling …………………………….17
Figure 2.2 Air Based Active Solar Heating………………………..19
Figure 2.3 Schematic diagram of Indirect water Heating….............21
Figure 2.4 Schematic diagram of Indirect water Heating…….........22
Figure 2.5 Schematic Diagram of Standard air system Configuration
……………………………………………………………………...23
Figure 2.6 Schematic diagram of Absorption chilling cycle………26
Figure 2.7 Schematic diagram of absorption cycle solar cooling
system………………………………………………………………27
Figure 3.1 A diagram of Solar collector……………………………29
Figure 3.2 A diagram of flate plate collector…………….………...30
Figure 3.3 A diagram of an evacuated tube solar collector…...........31
Figure 3.4 A diagram of a line focus solar collector…………….....32
Figure 3.5 A Point focus solar collector………………………….....33

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Figure 3.6 Schematic diagram of a solar combisystem with solar
collector and a boiling charging water storage tank……………….34
Figure 3.7 Pebble bedded storage system………………………….36
Figure 3.8 Systematic Diagram of Heat Pump…………………….37
Figure 3.9 A diagram of radiant slab………………………………38
Figure 3.10 Heat pump……………………………………………..39

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ACTIVE ARCHITECTURE AND ITS
FUNDAMENTALS

1.1 What is Active Architecture ?

Active architecture is the designs of buildings that contain mechanical devices,

which transport the absorbed solar energy to other locations in the building.
Active designs use equipment such as fans, air-conditioning, lights, pumps etc.
Active designs use equipment that modify the state of the building, creating
energy and comfort. While passive designs features are those that maximize
energy efficiency by the actual design of the construction itself.

Selecting efficient equipment in active design, like using water conservation

fixtures and appliances, choosing energy efficient appliances and lighting,
providing, exhaust fans in bathrooms and the kitchen combined with a source of
outside air are all means to an effective active design features in architecture.

Active solar describes energy systems that capture the sun's energy and store it
in some manner for later use, through mechanical or electrical means. the two
basic type are electrical systems or photovoltaic, and thermal systems that heat
liquid for domestic hot water and/or space heating needs.

Selecting efficient equipment in active design, like using water conservation

fixtures and appliances, choosing energy efficient appliances and lighting,
providing, exhaust fans in bathrooms and the kitchen combined with a source of
outside air are all means to an effective active design features in architecture

1.2 Importance of Active Architecture

1.2.1 Environmental benefits

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The most important benefit of green building is that which it offers to our
environment. It positively influences our climate and overall ecosystem by
reducing water use and energy sources that pollute our environment, such as
coal and carbon dioxide discharged into the atmosphere. Green Building Active
Architecture not only decreases water wastage, but preserves natural resources,
and enhances our air and water quality Green building also reduces your carbon
footprint by producing less waste and decreasing the amount of toxic gases set
free into the air. In this way, the pace of climate change is slowed down, and a
positive contribution to saving our environment is made through active
architecture.

1.2.2 Cost efficiency and economic benefits

Saving the environment actually saves you money. It provides you with several
economic and cost effective benefits. These include decreased operating costs,
enhanced occupant efficiency. Moreover, it enhances your return on assets and
profits due to your savings in operating costs. Lastly properties that are green
built, require lower maintenance costs as they are built from sustainable
components which in turn adds value to the property.

1.2.3 Health benefits

Going green means building away bad toxins and having the ability to breathe
in fresh, clean air. Having a good indoor environment protects the tenant’s
health and enhances their quality of life by avoiding serious illnesses induced by
the inhalation of toxic substances. An improved indoor quality not only
safeguards your life, but it can also strengthen employee productivity.
Employees working in clean and green built properties tend to have better
concentration and focus capabilities, improving their work performance.
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1.3 Advantages and Disadvantages of Active solar Architecture

1.3.1 Advantages

1.3.1.1 Utility Savings

One of the best reasons to adopt active and passive solar technology is the
reduction in your energy bills. Active solar systems can involve expensive
hardware, and passive solar techniques may create remodeling costs for your
home, but the reduction in your utility bills will more than offset the cost in
the end. If you plan to stay in your home for more than a few years, solar can
be a good investment for your household.

1.3.1.2 Renewable resource

Solar energy is a clean and renewable energy. Also it’s versatile and can help in
producing power for watches and calculators that do not run on batteries. It’s a
clean energy because it is received directly from the sun. The fossil fuels and
other gas and oil that are extracted from the mines are non renewable energy.
Also they are costly and cause lot of pollution. But solar energy is something
that is renewable and can be used for lots of activities. Also it is available free
of cost. As fossil fuels and other oils are soon going to disappear solar energy
which is available in abundant should be utilized well and hence is important.

1.3.1.3 Heating and Cooling Equipment

If you are building or remodeling a home, adopting passive heating and
cooling techniques can be significantly less expensive than using central air or
a furnace. Trombe walls, designed with a heat-catching airspace to transfer
warmth from the home’s exterior to interior rooms, can reduce or even
eliminate the need for artificial heating, depending on your region. In addition,
the open spaces conducive to passive solar heating can provide the airflow
necessary to keep a home cooler in the summer without relying on central air
conditioning.

1.3.1.4 Emissions
Active and passive solar also offer significant benefits for the planet. Reducing
your reliance on traditionally generated electricity will reduce your carbon
footprint and mitigate your effect on the environment. Solar electricity and

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heating systems produce no emissions and have a smaller environmental
impact than wind and hydroelectric power.

1.3.1.5 Health
In the winter, passive solar techniques can help you stay healthier. In a
traditionally heated home, a forced-air furnace wrings humidity from the air,
leaving it dry enough to irritate mucous membranes and encourage virus
propagation. The natural heating in a passive solar system does not dry out the
air, reducing allergic reactions and sinusitis and maintaining a healthy
moisture balance.

1.3.1.6 Resale
Solar technology can also make your home more attractive to potential buyers.
Homes designed to take advantage of active and passive solar techniques can
command a premium on the real estate market from environmentally
conscious buyers due to the financial and ecological benefits of the
technology. According to a study by Lawrence Berkeley Labs, California
homes with a 3,100-watt photovoltaic system sold for more than $17,000 more
than comparably equipped homes using traditional electricity and heating
systems.

1.3.2 Disadvantages

 Solar energy can be used only during the daytime i.e. when the sun is
shining bright.
 The solar collectors, panels and cells that are used to absorb heat from the
sun are very expensive
 In case of cloudy climate, there would be no signs of sun and solar energy
which is difficult.
 The solar batteries that are charged or needs to be charged are very heavy
and require large storage space. Replacing it is also difficult.
 Its low in efficiency and requires lots of land area
 There is no consistency because the devices that require energy of the sun
will only work if the delivery of photons is consistent.
 Replacing the solar energy panels is also a very difficult job.
 Installation of solar energy requires large area so that the system can
provide good amount of electricity. This is a great disadvantage in places
where the area is small
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1.4. Difference between Active and Passive Design

Active solar design uses outside energy and equipment—like electricity and
solar panels—to help capture and utilize the energy of the sun. Passive solar
design doesn’t use any outside energy or require much special equipment, but
simply takes advantage of existing natural phenomena, like the direction of the
sun or the insulating properties of concrete. Both kinds can be utilized in Long
Island green home design!

1.4.2 Active solar Design

i. Active solar Heating
Active solar systems typically utilize specialized collectors to gather solar
energy. Additional tools (like electric-powered blowers or pumps) then help
transfer or store solar heat for other use throughout the home. Some examples of
active solar heating include:

Collecting sunlight through rooftop panels and transferring its energy to a hot
water boiler for household use.

Pumping solar-heated water into a system of pipes embedded into concrete slab
floors to transfer heat throughout the home (known as radiant floor heating).

Hot water baseboards can also use solar-heated water to help distribute heat
throughout the home.

Solar collectors can be used to harness energy for active solar heating and
cooling. Photo credit: Flickr user Michael Coghlan

Solar collectors can be used to harness energy for active solar heating and
cooling. Photo credit: Flickr user Michael Coghlan

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 Fig1. 1. Active solar space heating

ii. Active solar cooling

Solar energy can also be harnessed and used to reduce temperatures in the
summer. In Long Island green home design, this is usually accomplished simply
by utilizing rooftop photovoltaic panels to run traditional electric-powered air
conditioning systems.

Fig 1.2. Schematic diagram of active solar cooling

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iii. Active solar water heating
Solar power is often used to heat water for domestic use; in active systems,
circulating controls or pumps are used to manage the heating process. There are
a few kinds of active solar water heating systems:

In direct circulation systems, water is circulated via pumps through the solar
collectors and throughout the home for household use. Warmer climates without
freezing temperatures are needed for most direct circulation systems.

In colder climates like Long Island, indirect circulation systems are a better
choice. Here, a heat-transfer fluid that’s unlikely to freeze (like a mixture of
water and glycol) is pumped through the collectors and into a heat exchanger.

Fig 1.3. Active solar water heating

1.4.1. Passive solar Design

i. Passive solar Heating
Passive solar heating uses a phenomenon that happens naturally — sunlight
warming the air — and amplifies that effect by building a home with a high
thermal mass (thermal mass is a home or material’s ability to absorb heat when

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the surrounding air is warmer, and release heat when the surrounding air is
cooler). Improving thermal mass can be achieved by the following strategies:

Careful placement of the home on the building site to receive the highest
amounts of direct sunlight.

Using building materials like structurally-insulated panels or insulated concrete

forms to help absorb and retain heat through passive solar insulation.

Large, south-facing windows placed strategically to receive lots of sunlight, and

double- or triple-paned to capture and hold that light more effectively.

Incorporating materials with a high thermal mass (like concrete or tile floors,
brick walls, and granite countertops) rather than those with a lower thermal
mass (like carpeting or drywall) to help absorb solar heat during the day, and
release that energy back into the home at night.

Using insulated concrete forms (ICFs) in green home design is an example of

designing for passive solar heating.

Fig 1.4 Passive heating

ii. Passive solar lighting

When sunlight is used to its fullest advantage, the round-the-clock need for
electrical lighting can be minimized through these day lighting techniques:

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East- and west-facing window placement specifically intended tailored for
morning and afternoon illumination.

Installing skylights, highly-placed clerestory windows, and/or solar tubes (also

known as light tubes) to help illuminate naturally darker rooms.

Incorporating reflective surfaces like light shelves, which help reflect sunlight
coming in through a window up toward the ceiling.

Utilizing an open floor plan to facilitate the diffusion of light throughout the
home.

Fig 1. 5. passive solar lighting

iii. Passive solar Cooling

Passive solar cooling design techniques help ensure a home built to retain solar
heat remains comfortable even in the hot summer months:

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Roof overhangs and eaves designed at a specific angle to provide shade from
the hot summer sun (which travels a slightly higher route than it does in the
winter months, when its heat is welcome).

Install removable awnings to provide extra shade over windows.

Planting deciduous trees on the south side of the home to create naturally
seasonal shade.

Windows are specifically placed and designed to be opened during cooler hours
(like the evening) to allow for effective cross-ventilation and night flush
cooling.

Fig 1.6. Passive solar cooling

Both active and passive solar energy are excellent choices in areas with lots of
sun and cold weather – like Long Island! Harnessing and transferring solar
energy is a cost-effective alternative to using traditional (and expensive) heating
sources like electricity or oil, which most of us here on Long Island pay for
dearly in the cold winter months.
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With active solar heating systems, those bills can be greatly reduced, since we
might only need to rely on electric or oil heat as a back-up energy source, rather
than our only energy source. And when a home is designed for immense energy
efficiency, it can even reach the point of becoming a net zero energy home,
producing as much or more energy than it needs!

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2. ACTIVE DESIGN STRATEGIES
Active solar technologies usually consist of a solar collecting device that is
designed to capture the sun’s energy; it can be used to store or transfer heat
energy in water or air. Unlike passive solar technologies there is usually a
moving part of the system involved with active solar technologies hence the
word – active – usually a pump type device.

Some of the active solar strategies are

1) Active solar heating

2) Active solar cooling
3) Active solar water heating
4) Active solar lighting

2.1 ACTIVE SOLAR HEATING

Active solar heating systems use solar energy to heat a fluid -- either
liquid or air -- and then transfer the solar heat directly to the interior space
or to a storage system for later use. If the solar system cannot provide
adequate space heating, an auxiliary or back-up system provides the
additional heat. Liquid systems are more often used when storage is
included, and are well suited for radiant heating systems, boilers with hot
water radiators, and even absorption heat pumps and coolers. Both liquid
and air systems can supplement forced air systems.

2.1.1. Liquid based active solar heating

These systems use a large, flat solar collector. Tubes filled with an
ethylene glycol (anti-freeze) solution snake back and forth behind the panel to
absorb the solar heat. The heated liquid is then stored in an insulated tank which
can then be used to heat the home. Water should not be used as a heat-transfer
medium since it may freeze in winter.These solar power systems work well with
in-floor radiant heating systems which already have installed plumbing.

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Heat exchanges can also be installed to transfer the heat from the ethylene
glycol to a household hot water system.

Fig 2.1. Liquid based Air cooling

The solar collectors used in liquid space heating systems are the same as those
used for domestic solar water heating. The most common type of solar collector
used is a flat-plate collector, but evacuated tube and concentrating collectors are
also used.

To capture the solar energy, a heat-transfer fluid, such as water or antifreeze, is

circulated through the solar collector by a circulating pump. As the fluid flows
through the collector it is heated by the Sun. A controller is used to operate the
pump such that the heat transfer fluid's temperature is only increased by 10-20
degrees F.

The solar heat captured in the heat-transfer fluid is then stored in water tanks or
the thermal mass of a radiant slab system. In water tank storage systems, a heat-
exchanger is used to transfer the heat from the heat-transfer fluid to the water in
the tank.

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There are several ways the solar thermal energy can be distributed throughout
your home. They all use the same basic principle of circulating heated water
through pipes, then along the way, the water transmits its heat and returns to the
storage tank as cooler water ready to be reheated.

Here are some of the distribution methods you can use with liquid systems...

 Radiant Slab Systems circulate solar heated fluid through radiant tubing
that is embedded within a concrete slab. The heat radiates from the slab to
warm your home. The slab is also used as thermal mass to store the heat.
 Hot-Water Baseboards heat space using both radiation and convection.
Hot water is piped to "fin tube" baseboard units. The fins increase the
surface area for heat dissipation which makes the units more efficient.
 Central Forced Air Systems can also take advantage of liquid systems by
having a liquid-to-air heat exchanger placed in the air-return duct prior to
the furnace. This will preheat the air to reduce the amount of energy that
the furnace will need to use in heating the air to the desired temperature.

2.1.2. Air based active solar Heating

Air-circulation systems are mounted on a roof or south-facing wall of a room. A
large, flat panel that's darkened and non-reflective is used as a solar collector. A
protective, transparent cover is placed over top the darkened surface to create a
narrow air-chamber. As the panel absorbs the solar radiation, it heats the air in
the chamber. A simple fan then circulates the heated air from the top of the unit
while bringing in cooler air at the bottom. The fan helps to speed the natural
convection flow of the air and helps keeps the room at a comfortable
temperature.

These systems are effective for heating rooms or open floor plans. Only indoor
air should be circulated in the system since outside air may be too cold to be
sufficiently warmed by the collector.

The solar collectors used in solar air heating systems use air as the fluid for
capturing the solar thermal energy and transferring that heat to your living
space.

In the most common setup, the collector draws cool air from the house, heats it,
and returns the now heated air to the living space. This is called a closed-loop
system.

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 Fig 2.2. Air based Active solar heating

The other type of setup is called an open-loop system. Open-loop systems draw
in cold outdoor air, heat it, and then transfer it to the living space.

For residential systems, closed-loop systems are your best bet. According to the
U.S. Department of Energy, air entering a closed-loop system at 70 degrees F is
typically warmed an additional 70 to 90 degrees. In comparison, air flowing
through an open-loop system is only heated an additional 20 degrees F.
Distribution of the heated air is handled by fans or blowers. A temperature
sensor inside the collector monitors its internal temperature. When it reaches
110 degrees F, it sends a signal to a thermostat inside the home. If the
temperature inside the home is below the desired level, it turns on the fan.

When the internal temperature of the collector falls to 90 degrees, or the living
space reaches the desired temperature, the thermostat turns off the fan.

Storage of the solar thermal energy is handled with thermal mass inside the
home. During the day, the thermal mass is absorbing the heat provided by the
solar air heating system. At night, the thermal mass will slowly radiate the heat
it collected into the living space. The more thermal mass, the longer the home
will stay warm after the Sun sets.

Storage can also be handled with rock bins. A blower circulates the warm air
from the collectors to a bin of rocks which will absorb most of the heat. When
the home requires heat, it is pulled from the rock bin. However, one of the
challenges with rock bins is that they must be kept dry to avoid mould, mildew,

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and insects. This is one of the main reasons why this type of storage is rarely
used today.

2.2. ACTIVE SOLAR WATER HEATING

Solar water heaters -- also called solar domestic hot water systems -- can be
a cost-effective way to generate hot water for your home. They can be used
in any climate, and the fuel they use -- sunshine -- is free.

Solar water heating systems include storage tanks and solar collectors. There
are two types of solar water heating systems: active, which have circulating
pumps and controls, and passive, which don't.

2.2.1. Direct (open-loop) solar water heating

Open-loop systems use pumps to circulate water through collectors and

operate at standard line pressure. These systems are suitable for single-
application domestic hot water supply and are appropriate in areas that do
not freeze for long periods and do not have hard or acidic water. They are
simple to design and operate and the least expensive to install among all
active systems. No HX is required, which allows efficient heat transfer
directly to the water. Water used as the working fluid is heated within the
collector to the temperature range of 50e60 C. These systems are also
simple to add capacity and integrate with existing systems if there is an
increase in the hot water demand. In general, direct SWHS produces the
highest operating performance because there are no night time heat losses
from hot water stored on the roof as in a passive system nor is any
efficiency lost through a heat exchange process as in a closed-loop
system. However, some stored heat can be lost when the system
recirculates.

Direct systems are not feasible to operate in freezing conditions because

it leads to pipe damage. The primary freeze protection needs electricity or
battery backup. For instance, a variable capacity direct expansion solar-
assisted heat pump system can be used for domestic water heating
purposes. As shown in Fig., a bare solar collector can be used as the
source (as an evaporator) for the heat pump system. The coefficient of
performance of such systems can be enhanced extensively by lowering
the speed of the compressor when the ambient temperatures were higher
. Hence, such systems perform better in summer compared with winter. A
drain-down system is one modification of the direct circulation. When

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there is no danger of freezing, this open loop is used where collectors are
filled with domestic water under supply pressure. Once the system is
filled, a differential controller operates a pump to move water from the
tank through collectors. A drain-down valve provides the freeze
protection function. While the drain-down valve is activated by the
controller, it will isolate the collector inlet and outlet from the tank. It
simultaneously opens a valve that allows water in the collector to drain
away. A vacuum breaker is always installed at the top of the collectors to
allow air to enter the collectors at the top so that water can drain out the
bottom.

Fig 2.3. Schematic diagram of indirect water heating

2.2.2 Indirect (closed-loop) solar water heating

Closed-loop active systems pump HTFs such as a mixture of glycol and

water anti-freeze through collectors. HXs are utilized to transfer the
heat from the fluid to the water stored in the tanks. Pumps circulate a
nontoxic, non freezing HTF through the collectors and HX. These
systems are popular in cold climates because of excellent freeze
protection. However, the antifreeze must be recharged on a 3- to 5-year
basis depending on antifreeze quality and system temperatures. The
system is generally more complicated than an open-loop system
because either a tank with a heat exchange coil or an external HX is
required. Because an HX is required the collector loop will run at
slightly higher temperature than an open-loop system. The collector
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 loop also needs to be pressurized (8e12 psi).These close-looped systems
use two circulation loops to aid heating: (1) the closed-collector loop
and (2) the open storage tank loop. The working fluid is circulated
within the closed collector loop to gain the heat and pass the heat
through an HX to the potable water that flows in an open loop to the
storage tank. In the closed loop several different types of working fluids
can be used, such as air, water, glycol/water mixtures, hydrocarbon oils,
and refrigerants/phase change fluids. In addition, the HX can be either
an internal system or external system. In an internal system . an HX is
placed inside of the water storage tank whereas in an external system
the HX is placed outside of the storage tank. These systems are suitable
for single and multiple SWH application systems.

Fig 2.4. Schematic diagram of indirect water heating

2.2.3 Drain-back system

Drain-back systems are modified indirect systems that are completely

non pressurized and use pumps to circulate water through the collectors.
Because the water in the col-lector loop drains into a reservoir tank
when the pumps are off, this is a good system for colder climates. In
addition, it allows the systems to turn off when the water in the storage
tank becomes too hot. The drain-back tank has to be appropriately sized
so that all of the water in the col-lector and lines can drain down into it

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 when the pumps turn off. The water in the sys-tem is separate from the
domestic water; therefore it needs an HX to transfer the heat from the
collected water to the domestic water. Because water is used as HTF, it
never needs to be changed like pressurized antifreeze systems. Most
plumbing codes do not require double-wall HXs for drain-back systems
using distilled water. The system is simple and has no check valves, no
air vents, no pressure gauges, and no expansion tanks. However, these
drain-back systems use larger piping (3/4-in. copper pipe) and
insulation, leading to a higher components cost compared with an active
open direct loop SWHS for residential water heating.

2.2.4 Air systems

In an indirect water heating system, air can be used as working fluid to

avoid extreme temperatures such as overheating in summer or freezing
in winter. A fan is used to circulate air through the tubes and the
concentric air-to-water HX that delivers this heat to water in the
horizontal storage tank.

The advantages of this system are that it is noncorrosive and requires

less maintenance. In addition, it can be used in very low temperature
conditions. However, the SWH system that uses air as a working fluid
generally requires a large area because of the air handling unit.

A typical arrangement of a solar air heating system along with a pebble

bed storage unit is illustrated in Fig. Air is passed through the collector
duct, where it gets heated up and rejects the heat to the water with the
help of an HX. Fans and dampers are incorporated to aid the system
operation. This system can supply hot water up to 80 C. One of the
main drawbacks for this system is low heating capacity, and the
formation of leaks over years could lead to a gradual reduction in
performance. The solar-assisted heat pump/heat pipe technology for
residence water heating has been developed for more than half a
century. In terms of high costs, inflexible applications, and unreliable
operation, the air-to-water heat pumps and other heat pumps for water
heating are not yet competitive. Another way to affect residential water
heating is to use a photovoltaic thermal (PVT) system. Most PVT
systems are unglazed and use air or water to cool down the cells and
use the heat for water heating.

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 Fig 2.5. Schematic diagram of standard air system configuration

2.3. ACTIVE SOLAR COOLING

SOLAR COOLING is a kind of system which can be applied to any type of
building and allows to produce cold (refrigerating energy, cold water and air
conditioning) by using “no cost” thermal solar energy instead of electrical
energy, thus limiting carbon emissions into the atmosphere.

Solar cooling systems can be classified into two main categories according to
the energy used to drive them:

solar thermal cooling systems

solar electric cooling systems.

In solar thermal cooling systems, the cooling process is driven by solar

collectors collecting solar energy and converting it into thermal energy, and
uses this energy to drive thermal cooling systems such as absorption,
adsorption, and desiccant cycles; whereas in solar electric cooling systems,
electrical energy that is provided by solar photovoltaic (PV) panels is used to
drive a conventional electric vapour compressor air-conditioning system. Both
types of solar cooling can be used in industrial and domestic refrigeration and
air-conditioning processes, with up to 95% saving in electricity,

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 2.3.1. SOLAR THERMAL COOLING SYSTEMS

i. Absorption systems
The absorption refrigeration cycle is one of the oldest refrigeration
technologies. Absorption refrigeration cycle operates under the same principle
as the conventional vapour compression refrigeration cycle in the refrigerant
side. The mechanical compressor in the conventional vapour compression
refrigeration cycle is replaced by the thermal compressor in the absorption
refrigeration cycle. The thermal compressor consists of absorber and generator.
Figure 4 shows the general schematic of a single effect absorption cycle [18].
The absorption chillier cycle consists of the following steps:

The rich solution (rich on coolant) will be pumped from the absorber to the
generator passing the solution heat exchanger (economizer).

Through the heat supply in the generator from a driving heat source (solar
collectors), a part of the coolant will be driven out from the rich solution and
flows to the condenser. After that, the remaining poor solution (poor on coolant)
flows back to the absorber.

In the condenser, the refrigerant vapour from the generator condenses in the
condenser. The heat of condensation must be rejected at an intermediate
temperature level by the use of the cooling water supplied from a cooling tower.

The refrigerant condensate flows back to the evaporator at low pressure through
an expansion device. The cycle of the coolant then repeats.

In the evaporator, the refrigerant is vaporized at very low pressure to produce

the cooling power by extracting heat from the low-temperature medium. The
coolant vapour flows to the absorber.

In the absorber, refrigerant vapour is absorbed by the poor solution, which flows
back from the generator passing the economizer and the throttle. Then, the heat
of absorption and mixing is rejected by the cooling water stream supplied from
a cooling tower. After that, the cycle of the solution will repeat again.

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 Fig 2.6 Schematic of the absorption chilling cycle.

ii. Adsorption systems

Adsorption refrigeration cycle is similar to absorption refrigeration cycle. The
main difference in the former is that the refrigerant is adsorbed on the internal
surface of highly porous solid material instead of the refrigerant being absorbed
by a liquid solution. In the adsorption refrigeration cycle, the solid sorbent and
the refrigerant form the adsorption pairs such as activated carbon-ammonia,
activated carbon-methanol, activated carbon-ethanol, silica gel-water, and
zeolite-water.

Adsorption is a physical or chemical process that is different from absorption,

which is a chemical process. Just as there is an attraction between a liquid and a
solid at a surface, there is also an attraction between a gas and a solid at a
surface. Adsorption is a surface phenomenon which can be divided into physical
adsorption (physisorption) and chemical adsorption (chemisorption). Physical
adsorption generally resulted by the Van der Waals forces through physical
process, and chemical adsorption usually achieved by valence forces through
chemical process. The heat of adsorption is usually large in chemical adsorption

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and small in physical adsorption. Adsorbent substances can be retained to
original properties by a desorption process under the application of heat.

The adsorption refrigeration cycle consists of two sorption chambers, a

condenser, and an evaporator, as illustrated in Figure 5. The adsorption cycle
achieves a COP of 0.3–0.7, depending upon the driving heat temperature of 55–
90°C.

Fig 2.7. schematic of adsorption cycle solar cooling system

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3. ACTIVE SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM
COMPONENTS
Active solar technology systems have three main components...

 Solar Energy Collection is done with a solar collector. The most

common collector is the flat-plate collector, which is simply a glass
covered, insulated box. Inside the box there are black absorber plates
which absorb the solar energy and convert it into heat. The heat energy is
then transferred to a fluid, usually water or air, that flows through the
collector. This determines whether the system is liquid-based or air-
based.

 Solar Energy Storage can be done with water tanks or thermal mass for
liquid-based systems. For air-based systems, solar energy storage can be
done with rock bins that hold the heated air.

 Solar Energy Distribution is based on the type of system used. Liquid-

based systems will use pumps, radiant slabs, central forced air, or hot-
water baseboards for distribution. Air-based systems will use fans and
ducts to move the heated air.

3.1 DEVICES USED FOR SOLAR ENERGY COLLECTION

ARE:-

A solar collector is a device that collects and/or concentrates solar radiation

from the Sun. These devices are primarily used for active solar heating and
allow for the heating of water for personal use. These collectors are generally
mounted on the roof and must be very sturdy as they are exposed to a variety of
different weather conditions.

The use of these solar collectors provides an alternative for traditional domestic
water heating using a water heater, potentially reducing energy costs over time.
As well as in domestic settings, a large number of these collectors can be
combined in an array and used to generate electricity in solar thermal power
plants.

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3.1.1 Types of Solar Collectors
There are many different types of solar collectors, but all of them are
constructed with the same basic premise in mind. In general, there is some
material that is used to collect and focus energy from the Sun and use it to heat
water. The simplest of these devices uses a black material surrounding pipes
that water flows through. The black material absorbs the solar radiation very
well, and as the material heats up the water it surrounds. This is a very simple
design, but collectors can get very complex. Absorber plates can be used if a
high temperature increase isn't necessary, but generally devices that use
reflective materials to focus sunlight result in a greater temperature increase.

Fig 3.1.Solar collector

i. Flat Plate Collectors

These collectors are simply metal boxes that have some sort of transparent
glazing as a cover on top of a dark-coloured absorber plate. The sides and
bottom of the collector are usually covered with insulation to minimize heat
losses to other parts of the collector. Solar radiation passes through the
transparent glazing material and hits the absorber plate.[4] This plate heats up,

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transferring the heat to either water or air that is held between the glazing and
absorber plate. Sometimes these absorber plates are painted with special
coatings designed to absorb and retain heat better than traditional black paint.
These plates are usually made out of metal that is a good conductor - usually
copper or aluminium.

Figure 3.2 . A diagram of a flat plate solar collector.

ii. Evacuated Tube Collectors

This type of solar collector uses a series of evacuated tubes to heat water for
use. These tubes utilize a vacuum, or evacuated space, to capture the suns
energy while minimizing the loss of heat to the surroundings. They have an
inner metal tube which acts as the absorber plate, which is connected to a heat
pipe to carry the heat collected from the Sun to the water. This heat pipe is
essentially a pipe where the fluid contents are under a very particular pressure.
At this pressure, the "hot" end of the pipe has boiling liquid in it while the
"cold" end has condensing vapour. This allows for thermal energy to move
more efficiently from one end of the pipe to the other. Once the heat from the

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Sun moves from the hot end of the heat pipe to the condensing end, the thermal
energy is transported into the water being heated for use .

Figure 3.3. A diagram of an evacuated tube solar collector.

iii. Line Focus Collectors

These collectors, sometimes known as parabolic troughs, use highly reflective
materials to collect and concentrate the heat energy from solar radiation.[8]
These collectors are composed of parabolic shaped reflective sections
connected into a long trough. A pipe that carries water is placed in the centre of
this trough so that sunlight collected by the reflective material is focused onto
the pipe, heating the contents. These are very high powered collectors and are
thus generally used to generate steam for Solar thermal power plants and are
not used in residential applications. These troughs can be extremely effective in
generating heat from the Sun, particularly those that can pivot, tracking the Sun
in the sky to ensure maximum sunlight collection.

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 .

Figure 3.4. A diagram of a line focus solar collector

iv. Point Focus Collectors

These collectors are large parabolic dishes composed of some reflective
material that focus the Sun's energy onto a single point. The heat from these
collectors is generally used for driving Stirling engines. Although very effective
at collecting sunlight, they must actively track the Sun across the sky to be of
any value. These dishes can work alone or be combined into an array to gather
even more energy from the Sun.

Point focus collectors and similar apparatuses can also be utilized to concentrate
solar energy for use with concentrated photovoltaic. In this case, instead of
producing heat, the Sun's energy is converted directly into electricity with high
efficiency photovoltaic cells designed specifically to harness concentrated solar
energy.

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 Figure 3.5. A point focus solar collector.

3.2 DEVICES USED FOR SOLAR ENERGY STORAGE ARE:-

3.2.1. Water Tank Storage
The most common material used in a sensible heat storage system is water. The
use of hot-water tanks is a well-known technology for thermal energy storage .
Hot-water tanks serve the purpose of energy saving in water heating systems via
solar energy and via co-generation (i.e., heat and power) energy supply systems.
State-of the-art projects [27] have shown that water tank storage is a cost-
effective storage option and that its efficiency can be further improved by
ensuring optimal water stratification in the tank and highly effective thermal
insulation.

Hot water storage systems used as buffer storage for DHW supply are usually in
the range of 500 L to several cubic meters (m3).

This technology is also used in solar thermal installations for DHW combined
with building heating systems (comb-systems). Large hot-water tanks are used
for seasonal storage of solar thermal heat in combination with small district
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heating systems. These systems can have a volume up to several thousand cubic
meters. Charging temperatures are in the range of 80–90 ◦C. The usable
temperature difference can be enhanced by the use of heat pumps for
discharging (down to temperatures around 10 ◦C) .

A more complex system with tank storage is shown in Figure :

Figure 3.6 schematic of a solar combisystem with solar collectors and a boiler
charging water storage tank.

A solar combisystem where water store is the central part. The so-called
combistore is charged with solar collectors and a second heating source, such as
a biofuel or gas boiler, and heat is extracted to two heat sinks of very different
characteristics: domestic hot water and space heating [28]. Solar combisystems
including combistores were also the topic of the European project Combisol,
whose goal was the promotion and standardization of solar combisystems in
Europe . High specific heat capacity, wide availability, chemically stability, and
low cost make water a good storage media suitable for low temperature solar
cooling applications (e.g., single stage absorption chillers and desiccant
systems). Due to the boiling point constraint (100 ◦C at 1 bar), the use of water

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as sensible heat storage medium for high temperature application (double effect
and triple effect chillers) requires increasing the system pressure.

3.2.2. Under ground storage

. Underground Storage Underground thermal energy storage (UTES) is also a
widely used storage technology, which makes use of the ground (e.g., the soil,
sand, rocks, and clay) as a storage medium for both heat and cold storage.
Means must be provided to add energy to and remove it from the medium. This
is done by pumping heat transfer fluids (HTFs) through pipe arrays in the
ground. The pipes may be vertical U-tubes inserted in wells (boreholes) that are
spaced at appropriate intervals in the storage field or they may be horizontal
pipes buried in trenches. The rates of charging and discharging are limited by
the area of the pipe arrays and the rates of heat transfer through the ground
surrounding the pipes. If the storage medium is porous, energy transport may
occur by evaporation and condensation and by the movement of water through
the medium, and a complete analysis of such a store must include consideration
of both heat and mass transfer. These storage systems are usually not insulated,
although insulation may be provided at the ground surface. Boreholes (ground
heat exchangers) are also frequently used in combination with heat pumps
where the ground heat exchanger extracts low-temperature heat from the soil.
Aquifer storage is closely related to ground storage, except that the primary
storage medium is water, which flows at low rates through the ground. Water is
pumped out of and into the ground to heat it and extract energy from it. Water
flow also provides a mechanism for heat exchange with the ground itself. As a
practical matter, aquifers cannot be insulated. Only aquifers that have low
natural flow rates through the storage field can be used. A further limitation
may be in chemical reactions of heated water with the ground materials.
Aquifers, as with ground storage, operate over smaller temperature ranges than
water stores. Most applications deal with the storage of winter cold to be used
for the cooling of large office buildings and industrial processes in the summer.

3.2.3. Packed bed storage

A packed-bed (pebble-bed) storage unit uses the heat capacity of a bed of

loosely packed particulate material to store energy. A fluid, usually air, is

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circulated through the bed to add or remove energy. A variety of solids may be
used, rock and pebble being the most widely used materials.

A pebble-bed storage unit is shown in Figure . In operation, flow is maintained

through the bed in one direction during addition of heat (usually downward) and
in the opposite direction during removal of heat. Note that heat cannot be added
and removed at the same time; this is in contrast to water storage systems,
where simultaneous addition to and removal from storage is possible.

Figure 3.7 Pebble-bed storage system .

A major advantage of a packed-bed storage unit is its high degree of

stratification. The pebbles near the entrance are heated, but the temperature of
the pebbles near the exit remains unchanged and the exit-air temperature
remains very close to the initial bed temperature. As time progresses a
temperature front passes through the bed. When the bed is fully charged, its
temperature is uniform. A packed bed in a solar heating system does not
normally operate with constant inlet temperature. During the day, the variable
solar radiation, the ambient temperature, the collector inlet temperature, load
requirements, and other time-dependent conditions result in a variable collector
outlet temperature.

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3.3 SOLAR ENERGY DISTRIBUTION
3.3.1 Heat pumps
A heat pump is a device that transfers heat energy from a source of heat to what
is called a heat reservoir. Heat pumps move thermal energy in the opposite
direction of spontaneous heat transfer, by absorbing heat from a cold space and
releasing it to a warmer one. A heat pump uses external power to accomplish
the work of transferring energy from the heat source to the heat sink.The most
common design of a heat pump involves four main components – a condenser,
an expansion valve, an evaporator and a compressor. The heat transfer medium
circulated through these components is called refrigerant.

Fig 3.8 Schematic diagram of Heat Pump

3.3.2 Radiant slabs

Radiant heating systems supply heat directly to the floor or to panels in the wall
or ceiling of a house. The systems depend largely on radiant heat transfer -- the
delivery of heat directly from the hot surface to the people and objects in the
room via infrared radiation. Radiant heating is the effect you feel when you can
feel the warmth of a hot stovetop element from across the room. When radiant

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heating is located in the floor, it is often called radiant floor heating or simply
floor heating.

Fig 3.9 Radiant slab

3.3.3. Heat transfer fan

Heat Transfer systems are used to transfer tempered (hot/cold) air from one
room that has a heat source to up to 4 other rooms. the benefits of a air transfer
system include saving energy and removing the need to buy additional heater
elements for the other rooms.

How an air transfer kit works:

Warm/Cool air is picked up through a ceiling vent which is ideally placed

opposite the heating/cooling element to allow the source room to heat/cool first.
An Inline fan will then transfer the hot/cold air to the vents in the destination
room(s). Our air transfer kits also include insulated ducting, ensuring the kit
functions as efficiently as possible. The system can be controlled manually via a
wall switch or through a thermostat (controlled by the temperature of the room).

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Fig 3.10 Heat transfer fan

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4. IMPACT OF ACTIVE SOLAR ARCHITECTURE

4.1 Environmental impacts from solar thermal heating

systems
Though the production of solar thermal (ST) systems requires reasonable
quantities of materials, insignificant amounts are also consumed during their
operation ; at that time the only potential environmental pollutant arises from
the coolant change, which can be easily controlled by good working practice.
The accidental leakage of coolant systems can cause fire and gas releases from
vaporized coolant, unfavourably affecting public health and safety, on the
country, the large scale- development of ST technologies will significantly
reduce the combustion of conventional fuels and will consequently; reduce the
environmental impacts associated with these fuels.

More analytically:

4.1.1. Land use

For low/medium heat systems it is the characteristics of the chosen system,
which define the land use. For instance, in the case of single-dwelling hot water
or space heating/cooling, no land will be required since the system will usually
be added to the roof of the existing building. Communal low-temperature
systems might use some land, though again the collection surfaces might well be
added on already existing buildings. The principal additional use of land might
be for heat storage. For high temperature systems, the land-use requirements of
concentrating collectors providing process heat are more problematical.

Concerning the loss of habitat and changes to the ecosystem due to land use in
the case of large-scale ecosystem due to land use in the case of large-scale
systems, provided that predevelopment assessments are carried out and
ecologically important sites are avoided, these are unlikely to be significant.

4.1.2. Routine and accidental discharges of pollutants

During the operation of the ST system coolant liquids may need change every
2–3 years. Such discharges require careful handling. In some cases, the coolant
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will be water based; but all indirect systems are likely to contain anti-freeze or
rust inhibitors, as well as substances leached from the system during use.

Heat transfer fluids might therefore contain glycol, nitrates, nitrites, chromates,
sulphites, and sulphates. Higher temperature applications would use more
complex substances, such as aromatic alcohols,oils,CFCs,etc.

The large-scale adoption of SETs might well require control on the disposal of
these substances (OECD/IEA,1998). Except for the normal use, there may be
the risk of accidental water pollution through leaks of heat transfer fluid. In
parallel, solar converters can achieve relatively high temperatures if their
coolant is lost (up to 200C). Consequently, at this temperature, there is a fire
risk, with the additional problem of out-gassing from panel components
(insulant ,plastic components ,epoxies) and the release of heat transfer fluids in
gaseous state or following combustion (e.g. burnt Freon).

4.1.3. Visual impact

Till recently ‘‘integration’’ used to be synonymous with ‘‘invisibility’’. It was
actually considered desirable to hide the fact that the solar elements were
different than other building elements. This trend, fortunately, changed.
Architects have discovered that solar elements can be used to enhance the
aesthetic appeal of a building, and their clients have discovered the positive
effects of advertising the fact that they are using solar energy.

The solar elements are used as architectural elements in attractive and visible
ways. The aesthetic impact of solar panels is evidently a matter of taste, though
flat panels usually are designed in such a way as to fit closely to the existing
roofline and produce little glare. Modern ST systems allow for the
manufacturing of collectors that can be easily integrated in buildings in an
aesthetically pleasant manner.

4.1.4. Effect on buildings

Theoretically the ST placement in the shell of the buildings could increase fire
risk (OECD/IEA,1998) and water intrusion into the roof. This can be easily

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avoided, since only four holes per panel on the roof will be integral part of the
roof.

4.1.5. Other burdens

Other burdens applicable to central power systems only (e.g. noise—during the
construction period, visual intrusion ,etc.) are likely to prove insignificant
(provided areas of scenic beauty are avoided),because such schemes are likely
to be situated in those areas of low population density. Therefore, all the
impacts of suitably located large ST schemes are expected to be small and
reversible.

4.2. Social impact of solar power

Renewable energy provides substantial benefits for our climate, our health and
our economy. The environmental benefits have already been explained above.
This section will discuss the social and economic advantages of the solar
energy.

4.2.1 Air quality improvement

Generating electricity from renewable energy rather than the fossil fuels offers
significant public health benefits. The air and water pollution emitted by coal
and natural gas plants are linked to breathing problems, neurological damage
heart attacks, and cancer. Replacing fossil fuels with solar energy or any other
renewable energy has been found to reduce premature mortality and lost
workdays, and it reduce overall healthcare cost.

Solar power system generate electricity with no associated air pollution

emissions. While other renewable source of energy such as geothermal and
biomass energy system emit some air pollution, total air emissions are generally
much lower than those of coal and natural gas- fired power plants. The absence
of air pollution contributes in the improvement of air quality and decrease in
disease associated with pollutants.

4.2.2 Sustainable source of Energy

By tapping from the free source of energy which is the sun, the electricity
production from other sources such as fossil fuel can be reduced. It is important

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to note that the use of fossil fuel can be eliminated in the near future. Fossil fuel
is exhaustive and one day will be completed depleted. This will jeopardize
future generation needs. By encouraging the use of renewable source of energy
suach as the sun, the dependency on fossil fuel can be reduced and the available
stock can be used for a longer time.

With the increasing interest in the use of solar power, the technology is being
refined and the price per KWh of electricity produced is decreasing. People will
benefit from this price fall without compromising the future generation
requirement of energy.

4.2.3 Job and other economic benefits

Compared with fossil fuel technologies, which are typically mechanized and
capital intensive, the renewable energy industry is more labor-intensive. This
means that, on average, more jobs are created for each unit of electricity
generated from renewable sources than from fossil fuels.

The solar industry employs people on the part-time basis, including jobs in
solar installation, manufacturing, and sales. In increasing renewable energy has
the potential to create still more jobs. In 2009, the union of concerned scientists
conducted an analysis of the economic benefits of a 25 percent renewable
energy standard by 2025; it found that scuh a policy would create more than
three times as many jobs as producing an equivalent amount of electricity from
fossil fuels.

In addition to the jobs directly created in the renewable energy industry, growth
in renewable energy industry creates positive economic “ripple” effects. For
example, industries in the renewable energy supply chain will benefit, and
unrelated local businesses will benefit from increased household and business
incomes.

Renewable energy projects therefore keep money circulating within the local
economy, and in most countries, renewable electricity production would reduce
the need to spend money on importing coal, crude oil and natural gas from other
places. This will decrease the dependency of the country on the other regarding
fossil fuel and can play as a leverage in negotiating fuel price for import.

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4.2.4 Stable Energy prices
Renewable energy will provide affordable electricity across the country, and
can help stabilize energy prices in future.

The costs of renewable energy technologies have declined steadily, and are
projected to drop even more. For example, the average price of a solar panel has
dropped almost 60 per cent since 2011. The cost of generating electricity from
wind dropped more than 20 per cent between 2010 and 2012 and more than 50
per cent since 1980. The cost of renewable energy will decline even further as
markets mature and companies increasingly take advantage of economies of
scale.

While renewable facilities require upfront investments to build, once built they
operate at very low cost and, for most technologies, the fuel is free. As a result
renewable energy prices are relatively stable over time. UCS’s analysis of the
economic benefits of a 25 % renewable electricity standard found that such a
policy would lead to 4.1% lower natural gas prices and 7.6% lower electricity
and prices by 2030.

The increasing use of renewable energy such as solar energy will help to protect
consumers when the fossil fuel price spikes.

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 CONCLUSION
High cost of energy consumption and environmental issues are two main factors
to encourage experts and governments to replace fossil fuels with solar energy
especially active solar strategies . Solar heating and cooling system reduces the
operating cost as compare to conventional method. Efficiency of conventional
method of heating and cooling can be increased 35-40% with the help of solar
heating and cooling system. the various active solar strategies such as active
solar heating , solar cooling etc are studied and the devices that are used in this
strategies are also studied. The main factors for this attractiveness of solar
active strategies are it will save fuel , help to achieve reduction in carbon
dioxide emissions and environment friendly. Moreover, it was mentioned that
integrating of active solar energy devices into the building envelopes is one of
the good strategies for heat producing and power generating simultaneously
from the same building. And as more use is made of this free source of natural
energy, our exposure and that of future generation to dangerous technologies,
such as nuclear power, can be reduces. However, installation of these elements
into the buildings insinuate their appearance so having harmony with the whole
part of buildings is one of the most important factors that should be taken into
account. Integration of Photovoltaic and solar thermal collectors into the
buildings seems reasonable from energy efficiency point of view on the other
hand this integration works as multifunctional element which affect appearance
of buildings and even design process as well. According to characteristics of
each building - location, position of roof/facade, energy need - on one side and
the high initial cost of solar active element installation on the other side,
considering the type of systems are so important economically and aesthetically.

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 BIBLIOGRAPHY

 https://www.csemag.com/articles/solar-design-strategies-passive-versus-
active/
 https://www.paulcataldora.com/ask-the-green-architect/difference-
between-active-and-passive-solar-design/
 https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/home-heating-systems/active-solar-
heating
 https://www.energydepot.com/RPUres/library/Swaterheater.asp
 https://www.slideshare.net/amanece13/solar-heating-and-cooling-system
 https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/water-heating/solar-water-heaters
 https://www.solar-energy-at-home.com/active-solar-energy.html
 https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/home-heating-systems/active-solar-
heating#252668-tab-0
 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/303791379_Active_solar_water
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