Selection of Parameters for Accumulating Layer of Solar Walls with Transparent Insulation

• Main Authors: Jadwiga Świrska-Perkowska, Zbigniew Perkowski
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-02-01
• Series: Energies
• Subjects: transparent insulation; solar wall; accumulating layer; energy efficiency; European climate
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/14/5/1283

One of the strategies to improve the energy performance of buildings may be the use of passive solar systems with transparent insulation. In the article, a numerical model of solar wall (SW) with transparent insulation (TI) obtained using the method of elementary balances is presented. On this basis, numerical simulations of the behavior of SW with a transparent honeycomb insulation made of modified cellulose acetate were performed for 4 different climatic conditions in Europe (Stockholm, Warsaw, Paris, and Rome). For each location, the calculations were carried out for three different TI thickness values (48, 88, and 128 mm), for thermal diffusivity of the accumulating layer (AL) ranging from 4.32 × 10⁻⁷ to 8.43 × 10⁻⁷ m²/s, and for its thickness ranging from 0.1 to 0.5 m. The purpose of simulations was to select the appropriate material and thickness of AL and TI for the climatic conditions. The following solutions proved to be the most favorable: Stockholm: TI—thk. 128 mm, AL—sand-lime blocks, thk. 25 cm; Warsaw: TI—thk. 128 mm, AL—sand-lime blocks, thk. 27 cm; Paris: TI—thk. 88 mm, AL—solid ceramic brick, thk. 27 cm; Rome: TI—thk. 48 mm, AL—solid ceramic brick, thk. 29 cm.