Computer simulation for a solar heating system

Abstract

In this paper a simulation model for a basic solar heating system which is suitable for control and optimization studies is developed. A model for flat plate solar collectors using fluids for the heat transfer which allows the analysis of operation in great detail is presented. The simulation model for the solar collectors has also the characteristic that its inputs and outputs are quantities which are easily measurable in the real world. The effect of temperature stratification in the heat storage device model is considered by simulating two storage chambers of variable volume. The heat storage model requires relatively small time increments, a requirement which is not as stringent as that for the solar collectors. The tank's model primary variables are the easily measurable quantities of temperature and flow rates with the addition of volume as an internal variable. Weather, load and control modeling is also presented. The gradient search method is then applied to study optimal sizing of solar heating components of The University of Toledo solar house.