Thermofluid Modeling for Energy Efficiency Applications

Mohammad Masud Kamal Khan, Nur M.S Hassan, Masud Khan

• Publisher: Academic Press
• Year: 2015
• Print ISBN: 9780128023976
• eBook ISBN: 9780128025895
• Topic: Technology & Engineering
• Subtopic: Fluid Mechanics
• Index: Technology & Engineering

Thermofluid Modeling for Sustainable Energy Applications provides a collection of the most recent, cutting-edge developments in the application of fluid mechanics modeling to energy systems and energy efficient technology. Each chapter introduces relevant theories alongside detailed, real-life case studies that demonstrate the value of thermofluid modeling and simulation as an integral part of the engineering process. Research problems and modeling solutions across a range of energy efficiency scenarios are presented by experts, helping users build a sustainable engineering knowledge base. The text offers novel examples of the use of computation fluid dynamics in relation to hot topics, including passive air cooling and thermal storage. It is a valuable resource for academics, engineers, and students undertaking research in thermal engineering. - Includes contributions from experts in energy efficiency modeling across a range of engineering fields - Places thermofluid modeling and simulation at the center of engineering design and development, with theory supported by detailed, real-life case studies - Features hot topics in energy and sustainability engineering, including thermal storage and passive air cooling - Provides a valuable resource for academics, engineers, and students undertaking research in thermal engineering

Chapter 1

Performance Evaluation of Hybrid Earth Pipe Cooling with Horizontal Piping System

S.F. Ahmed, M.M.K. Khan, M.T.O. Amanullah, M.G. Rasul and N.M.S. Hassan, School of Engineering and Technology, Higher Education Division, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, QLD, Australia

Earth pipe cooling technology is a building design approach for cooling a room in a passive process without using any customary units. It can reduce energy consumption of the buildings for hot and humid subtropical zones. This chapter investigates the performance of horizontal earth pipe cooling (HEPC) in combination with a green roof system. To measure the performance, a thermal model was developed using Fluent in ANSYS 15.0. Data were collected from three air-conditioning modeled rooms installed at Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, Australia. One of the rooms was connected to a HEPC system, the second to a green roof system, and the third standard room had no cooling system. The effect of air temperature, air velocity, and relative humidity of the hybrid earth pipe cooling performance were assessed. A temperature reduction of 4.26°C is predicted for a combined HEPC and green roof system compared to the standard room, which will assist the inhabitants to achieve thermal comfort and save energy in the buildings.

Keywords

Passive air cooling; earth pipe cooling; horizontal piping system; green roof; air temperature; air velocity

1.1 Introduction

A significant amount of energy is consumed by buildings today and buildings are accountable for about 40% of world annual energy consumption [1]. There has been an enormous increase in energy demand worldwide in recent years due to industrial development and population growth. World energy use is projected to rise from 524 quadrillion Btu in 2010 to 630 quadrillion Btu in 2020 and 820 quadrillion Btu in 2040 as shown in Figure 1.1 [2]. This represents an energy consumption increase of 56% during this period. More than 85% of this growth in global energy demand is predicted to occur among the developing nations outside the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) nations, where demand is driven by strong long-term economic growth and expanding populations. In contrast, the greater part of OECD member countries are now more established energy consumers with slower expected economic growth and particularly no foreseen population growth [3].

Figure 1.1 World energy consumption. Source: International Energy Outlook (2013).

Energy use in non-OECD nations will increase by 85% compared to an increase of 18% for the OECD economies. Country-wise world energy consumption over this period of 2010–2040 is summarized in Table 1.1.

Table 1.1

World energy consumption by country grouping (quadrillion Btu) [2]

Region	2010	2015	2020	2025	2030	2035	2040	Average annual change, 2010–2040 (%)
OECD	242	244	255	263	269	276	285	0.5
Americas	120	121	126	130	133	137	144	0.6
Europe	82	82	85	89	91	93	95	0.6
Asia	40	41	43	44	45	46	46	0.5
Non-OECD	282	328	375	418	460	501	535	2.2
Europe and Eurasia	47	50	53	57	61	65	67	1.2
Asia	159	194	230	262	290	317	337	2.5
Middle East	28	33	37	39	43	46	49	1.9
Africa	19	20	22	24	27	31	35	2.1
Central and South America	29	31	33	35	39	42	47	1.6
World	524	572	630	680	729	777	820	1.5

Almost all of the world population uses energy at some point for their own needs and the greater amount of this energy is used in buildings for cooling, heating, and lighting. The building sector consumes a lot of energy which is responsible for more than 40% of global energy use [4] and 40–50% of the total delivered energy in the United Kingdom and the United States [5,6]. In 2010, the sector accounted for more than one-fifth of global energy consumption [2]. Ventilation, cooling, and heating in buildings can be responsible for as much as 70% of the total energy use in buildings [7]. This growth, along with unprecedented changes in the underlying living standards and economic conditions, will make developments within the building sector. Total world delivered energy demand for buildings shown in Figure 1.2 increases from 81 quadrillion Btu in 2010 to nearly 131 quadrillion Btu in 2040 at an average annual growth rate of 1.6%.

Figure 1.2 World energy consumption for bu...

Table of contents

• Cover image
• Title page
• Table of Contents
• Copyright
• List of Contributors
• Preface
• Chapter 1. Performance Evaluation of Hybrid Earth Pipe Cooling with Horizontal Piping System
• Chapter 2. Thermal Efficiency Modeling in a Subtropical Data Center
• Chapter 3. Natural Convection Heat Transfer in the Partitioned Attic Space
• Chapter 4. Application of Nanofluid in Heat Exchangers for Energy Savings
• Chapter 5. Effects of Perforation Geometry on the Heat Transfer Performance of Extended Surfaces
• Chapter 6. Numerical Study of Flow Through a Reducer for Scale Growth Suppression
• Chapter 7. Parametric Analysis of Thermal Comfort and Energy Efficiency in Building in Subtropical Climate
• Chapter 8. Residential Building Wall Systems: Energy Efficiency and Carbon Footprint
• Chapter 9. Cement Kiln Process Modeling to Achieve Energy Efficiency by Utilizing Agricultural Biomass as Alternative Fuels
• Chapter 10. Modeling and Simulation of Heat and Mass Flow by ASPEN HYSYS for Petroleum Refining Process in Field Application
• Chapter 11. Modeling of Solid and Bio-Fuel Combustion Technologies
• Chapter 12. Ambient Temperature Rise Consequences for Power Generation in Australia
• Index