KATHMANDU UNIVERSITY

School of Engineering

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Dhulikhel, Kavrepalanchowk

SOLAR THERMAL SYSTEM

(MEEG 452)

Assignment 5- Solar Water Heater Design

Submitted By:

Bishal Bista

41125

Energy technology

Submitted To:

Assistant Prof. Malesh Shah

Department of mechanical engineering

Kathmandu University

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Table of Contents
List of figures ................................................................................................................................................ 3
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................... 4
Background ............................................................................................................................................. 4
Solar Water Heater Systems in Nepal ................................................................................................... 5
Considerations for a Solar Water Heater System design .................................................................... 6
CHAPTER 2 DISCUSSION....................................................................................................................... 6
Community Survey and Data collection ............................................................................................... 6
Energy Requirement ............................................................................................................................... 7
Storage Tank Size ................................................................................................................................... 7
Collector area .......................................................................................................................................... 7
Suitable materials: .................................................................................................................................. 7
Suitable Fittings: ..................................................................................................................................... 8
Sizing: ....................................................................................................................................................... 8
CHAPTER 3 CONCLUSION .................................................................................................................... 8
References ..................................................................................................................................................... 9

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List of figures
Figure 1 solar water heaters diagram ............................................................................................................ 4
Figure 2 solar water heater system in Nepal ................................................................................................. 5
Figure 3 Representation of survey data ........................................................................................................ 6

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 CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION
Background
A solar water heater is a device that uses solar energy to heat water, store it, and distribute it to hot-water-
demanding locations. A solar water heater is made up of a collection of solar panels, an energy transmission
system, and a storage tank. The main part of a solar water heater is the solar collector array, which absorbs
solar radiation and converts it to heat. This heat is subsequently collected by a heat transfer fluid that flows
through the collector and is either stored or directly utilized. Solar water heaters, also known as solar
domestic hot water systems, are a low-cost alternative to provide hot water for any residential building.
There are two types of solar water heating systems: active and passive. Active systems include circulating
pumps and controllers, whereas passive systems do not. There are two types of active solar water heating
systems: (i) direct circulation systems where household water is circulated through collectors and into the
residence by pumps. They operate well in places where there are less chances of freezing. And (ii) indirect
circulation systems where Pumps circulate a non-freezing, heat-transfer fluid through the collectors and a
heat exchanger. This heats the water that then flows into the home. They are popular in climates prone to
freezing temperatures. Similarly, passive solar water heating systems are less expensive than active solar
water heating systems, however they are frequently inefficient. Passive systems, on the other hand, may be
more reliable and last longer [1].

Figure 1 solar water heaters diagram

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Solar Water Heater Systems in Nepal
Solar Hot Water System is one of the most potential solar thermal technology applications in Nepal. Solar
hot water systems have already been installed in over 30,000 homes across the country [2]. A study of the
energy consumption patterns in Nepal's domestic, industrial, and commercial sectors suggests that water
heating consumes a significant amount of energy. Alternative approaches are increasingly being considered
as a means of meeting these needs. The use of solar energy is one such alternative. Nepal is blessed with
rich solar energy, with solar insolation ranging from 4-5 kWh per square meter per day and an average of
more than 6.5 hours of sunshine each day [3]. If we can harness this capacity to generate energy for home,
commercial, and industrial operations, solar-based systems can make a significant contribution to the
country's development. There are mainly two types of solar water heaters produced in Nepal. They are
thermosiphon circulation system with separate hot water storage tank and flat systems with collector itself
as hot water storage tank [4].

Figure 2 common domestic solar water heater system in Nepal

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Considerations for a Solar Water Heater System design
 Roof Spacing
 Dimensioning
 Sizing of Storage Tank
 Distance of Storage and Collectors
 Relation between SF and System Efficiency
 Load Profiling (Seasonal and Daily Peak Consumption)

CHAPTER 2 DISCUSSION
Community Survey and Data collection
This study is based on community of Dhulikhel city. Around 5 houses and 2 hostel are taken for data
collection. Since dhulikhel is cold place, demand of hot water is high here. Mostly, in the winter season the
temperature falls very low because of which the demand of hot water is high however, there is much solar
radiation in this area during winter season. The data collected for load calculation of solar water heater from
the community is tabulated below. The average amount of daily hot water required for different
consumption type per person has been assumed as 20 liters.

Consumption type Number of people Average hot water demand per

day ( liters)
House 1 4 80
House 2 6 120
House 3 5 100
House 4 7 140
House 5 3 60
Hostel 1 30 600
Hostel 2 25 500
Total 80 1600
Figure 3 Representation of survey data

The total number of people were 80 and average hot water demand per day was 1600 liters. Based on the
above data calculations were made.

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Energy Requirement
Considering the heating load in winter and assuming the temperature of stored hot water to be 60 °C, the
energy required to fulfil the daily hot water demand through the SWH can be calculated as,

Here, the daily hot water demand is 1600 Liters.

Temperature of water in winter is taken as 5C and the required hot water temperature is 60°C.

Therefore, the temperature difference is 55°C.

Specific heat capacity of Water is 4200 J/kg°C.

Let temperature of stored water is taken slightly higher than the temperature of water at outlet be 65C.

Now,𝑄𝑤ℎ = (𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑑𝑎𝑖𝑙𝑦 ℎ𝑜𝑡 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑑𝑒𝑚𝑎𝑛𝑑) × 𝑐𝑤 × ∆𝑇

𝑄𝑤ℎ = 1600 × 4200 × 55 = 3,69,600,000 𝐽

Storage Tank Size

For storage volume, we have

2 × 𝐷𝐻𝑊 𝑑𝑒𝑚𝑎𝑛𝑑 × (𝑇ℎ − 𝑇𝑐 )

𝑉𝐶𝑌𝐿 =
𝑇𝐷𝐻𝑊 − 𝑇𝑐

2 × 1600 × (60 − 5)
𝑉𝐶𝑌𝐿 = = 2933.33 𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠
65 − 5

Collector area
For collector area,

𝑁𝑜. 𝑜𝑓 𝑎𝑢𝑡𝑜𝑛𝑜𝑚𝑜𝑢𝑠 𝑑𝑎𝑦𝑠 × 𝑄𝐷ℎ𝑤 × 𝑆𝐹

𝐴𝑅 =
𝑦𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑙𝑦 𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑎𝑟 𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 × 𝑆𝐸

2 × 3,69,600,000 × 40
𝐴𝑅 = = 467.57 𝑚2
4.95 × 103 × 365 × 35

Suitable materials:
 Black steel pipe
 Copper tube
 Stainless steel tubing

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Suitable Fittings:
 Compression fittings
 Press fittings (with gasket rated for temperature above 150C)
 Blazed fittings

Sizing:
 A minimum flow rate of 60lt/hr/m2 is recommended.
 In order to minimize pressure drop, the flow velocity should not exceed 1m/s.

CHAPTER 3 CONCLUSION
The solar water heating system application has high prospects in the context of Nepal. Research and
developments in these sectors are an important aspect in order to address the issues like efficient design,
durable performance and cost effective technology. The development of trained manpower in this sector
seems inevitable for the meaningful implementation of this technology. In most cases of installation,
mistakes are done during the installation (Alignment and Connection of the collectors to the reservoir) by
setting the lower end of the reservoir tank below the upper edge of the collector. The lower end of the
reservoir tank must be at least 25 cm above the upper edge of the collector to prevent the reverse circulation
during off-sun shine hours in thermosiphon system which is practiced in Nepal [5]. Also, generally the size
of the reservoir manufactured by some local producers doesn’t seem of sufficient standard size resulting
into reduction of the system efficiency considerable. So care should be taken to select the adequate size of
the reservoir having capacity of 50 to 60 liters per m² of collector.

The various parameters for developing a community-based solar water heating system have been explored.
In case of Dhulikhel city there is good supply of sunlight for energy absorption during winter also, so solar
water heater will be fruitful during winter season. A total of 3,69,600,000 𝐽 energy is required daily for all
the members of the 4 houses and students of 2 hostels. Also, a storage tank of 2933.33 𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠 is required
for the storage of hot water, approximately at 60-65 °C and total collector area of467.57 𝑚2 .

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References

[1] "Energy.gov," [Online]. Available: https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/water-heating/solar-water-

heaters.

[2] W. A. E. C. S. Ministry Of Water Resources, "Final Report For Inventory On Solar Water Heating
System And Its Technological Assessment For Household Adoption In Nepal," 1998.

[3] "UN Conference on New and Renewable Source of Energy," 1981.

[4] T. H. G. Tri Ratna Bajracharya, "Solar Water Heating System Database in Nepal," Alternative Energy
Promotion Centre (AEPC), 2004.

[5] S. R. S. Tri Ratna Bajracharya, "Technology Analysis of Domestic Solar Water Heater Systems in
Nepal: Needs a Revamp," Researchgate, 2003.