Journal Article

Adaptive overheating cover for a solar water heater

Nehme, Bechara, Chidiac, Nancy, Jelwan, Jad, Said, Walid, Akiki, Tilda, Zeghondy, Barbar

2022

Overview

Solar water heating systems have been widely used around the world. However, exposure to sunlight can overheat the device, affecting the efficiency and durability of the system. This article proposes an adaptive deck controller that protects the system from overheating without compromising the availability of domestic hot water. Solar water heaters are considered one of the most effective ways to reduce a home’s carbon footprint. They are a renewable energy source that reduces reliance on fossil fuels and saves money. Thus, this paper aims to develop a dynamic cover for solar water heaters that prevent overheating using an artificial neural network to optimize the design of control systems. Based on a self-organizing map network, the controller automatically adjusts the temperature of the solar collector through a fabric screen covering the main subsystems, depending on many parameters such as weather conditions, collector temperature and domestic hot water depending on demand. A suggested technique of four different shade percentages (0%, 20%, 25% or 32%) can avoid overheating and maintain the amount of hot water the home needs. Although renewable energy is free, proper controls are required to ensure maximum efficiency or proper use. In addition, the control of renewable energy leads to longer service life.

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Subject: Alternative energy / Artificial neural networks / Carbon footprint / Control systems / Control systems design / Controllers / Design optimization / Fossil fuels / Heating systems / Hot water heating / Neural networks / Overheating / Renewable energy sources / Renewable resources / Self organizing maps / Service life / Solar collectors / Solar heating / Subsystems / Water heaters / Water heating / Weather