An Evaluation of Solar Air Heating at United States Air Force Installations

Abstract : The purpose of this research was to evaluate the use of solar air heating at United States (U.S.) Air Force installations. Specifically, this thesis analyzed Unglazed Transpired Collector (UTC) technology, more commonly known as Solar Walls(Registered). This thesis sought to determine if UTC systems are an economically and environmentally viable technology which Air Force energy managers should include in their portfolio of alternative energy options. This research question was answered through the use of case studies and life-cycle cost analysis. Case studies were performed at various U.S. military installations which have already utilized UTC systems to provide a consolidated source of lessons learned. A life-cycle cost analysis was performed to quantify the potential cost savings at various Air Force installations to help Air Force energy leaders determine if the technology should be further implemented, and if so, which installations should be considered for future UTC use. The quantitative results of this evaluation determined that the Air Force could realize significant economic and environmental benefits from the use of UTC technology. The information gathered from case studies can help ensure that future users of UTC systems utilize their systems in the most effective manner possible.

[1]  David Ashley.  Reducing Ventilation Energy Demand In Multifamily High Rise Buildings Through Preconditioning: Two Modeling Studies , 2007 .

[2]  Charles F. Kutscher,et al.  Wind Heat Loss From Corrugated, Transpired Solar Collectors , 2001 .

[3]  E. Brundrett,et al.  A CFD heat transfer analysis of the transpired solar collector under no-wind conditions , 1999 .

[4]  D. N. Summers,et al.  Thermal simulation and economic assessment of unglazed transpired collector systems , 1996 .

[5]  Christine Carol Maurer.  Field Study and Modeling of an Unglazed Transpired Solar Collector System , 2004 .

[6]  Viorel Badescu,et al.  Macro-engineering : a challenge for the future , 2006 .

[7]  Amy S. Rushing,et al.  Energy Price Indices and Discount Factors for Life-Cycle Cost Analysis April 2008 , 2008 .

[8]  C. F. Kutscher,et al.  Heat Exchange Effectiveness and Pressure Drop for Air Flow Through Perforated Plates With and Without Crosswind , 1994 .

[9]  K.G.T. Hollands,et al.  Heat-exchange relations for unglazed transpired solar collectors with circular holes on a square or triangular pitch , 2001 .

[10]  E. Peterson.  Wind Power , 1974, Science.

[11]  Randy C Combs.  An Evaluation of Wind Turbine Technology at Peterson Air Force Base , 2005 .

[12]  R. Hendricks,et al.  Alternative Fuels and Their Potential Impact on Aviation , 2006 .

[13]  K.G.T. Hollands,et al.  Flow distribution in unglazed transpired plate solar air heaters of large area , 1996 .

[14]  Craig Christensen,et al.  A numerical and experimental investigation of low-conductivity unglazed, transpired solar air heaters , 2002 .

[15]  Stephen R. Petersen,et al.  Life-cycle costing manual for the Federal Energy Management Program , 1996 .

[16]  Ross Westerfield Joedan.  Fundamentals of Corporate Finance, 7th Edition , 1991 .