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in subjects: "Walls 140901* -- Solar Thermal Utilization-- Space Heating & Cooling"

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SOLCOST support and maintenance. Quarterly technical status report

The Los Alamos Solar Load Ratio Method for passive solar heating was fully implemented as a stand-alone software package under the title SOLCOST-PASSIVE. The software includes a coupled economic analysis capability which was slightly modified (from the LASL methodology) to include variable fuel escalations in time. Three passive system types can be evaluated with the methodology, and also any combinations of the three. Temperature swings for direct gain systems can also be computed. The typical… more

Date: June 1, 1980

Item Type: Report

Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department

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Performance analysis of mixed passive solar heating systems

The various situations in which interactions between south-facing systems serving a single thermal zone may affect the performance of the mixture are discussed. In particular, the nature of direct gain interactions with unvented Trombe walls was explored using a detailed thermal network computer program. The results are compared with predictions from the simple design analysis procedures which neglect interactions. This comparison showed that system interactions can significantly improve the pe… more

Date: January 1, 1985

Creator: Wray, W.O. & Best, E.D.

Item Type: Article

Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department

open access

Thermal Control System and Method for a Passive Solar Storage Wall

A system and method are provided for controlling the storing and release of thermal energy from a thermal storage wall wherein said wall is capable of storing thermal energy from insolation. The system and method includes a device such as a plurality of louvers spaced a predetermined distance from the thermal wall for regulating the release of thermal energy from the thermal wall. This regulating device is made from a material which is substantially transparent to the incoming solar radiation s… more

Date: July 10, 1981

Creator: Ortega, Joseph Kenneth Earl

Item Type: Patent

Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department

open access

Performance of a solar-heated assembly building at Sandia National Laboratories

The passive solar-heating system of the assembly building at Sandia National Laboratories' Photovoltaic Advanced Systems Test Facility is described and the thermal analysis of the building is given. Performance predictions are also given, and actual performance for December 1979 and January 1980 are shown.

Date: September 1, 1980

Creator: Haskins, D.E.

Item Type: Report

Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department

open access

Water-storage-tube systems. Final report

Passive solar collection/storage/distribution systems were surveyed, designed, fabricated, and mechanically and thermally tested. The types studied were clear and opaque fiberglass tubes, metal tubes with plastic liners, and thermosyphoning tubes. (MHR)

Date: December 24, 1981

Creator: Hemker, P.

Item Type: Report

Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department

open access

Trombe walls and direct gain: patterns of nationwide applicability

The economic performance of Trombe wall and direct gain passive solar heating designs are elevated on a nationwide basis using the LASL/UNM solar economic performance code. Both designs are integrated into a ranch style tract home concept thereby facilitating regional comparisons. Solar add-on costs are established for each design with regional differences in material and labor prices accounted for at each site. System sizes are optimized against the natural gas and electric resistance heating … more

Date: January 1, 1979

Creator: Noll, S. A.; Roach, J. F. & Ben-David, S.

Item Type: Article

Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department

open access

Passive solar heating of buildings

Passive solar heating concepts--in which the thermal energy flow is by natural means--are described according to five general classifications: direct gain, thermal storage wall, solar greenhouses, roof ponds, and convective loops. Examples of each are discussed. Passive test rooms built at Los Alamos are described and results are presented. Mathematical simulation techniques based on thermal network analysis are given together with validation comparisons against test room data. Systems analysis… more

Date: January 1, 1977

Creator: Balcomb, J. D.; Hedstrom, J. C. & McFarland, R. D.

Item Type: Article

Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department

open access

Experimental study of a fiber absorber-suppressor modified Trombe wall

An experimental study has been conducted to ascertain the effects of introducing fiber bed absorbers on Trombe wall passive solar collectors. Two identical, Trombe wall passive solar units were constructed that incorporate the basic components of masonry collector-storage walls: glazings, masonry and thermal insulation. Both units were extensively instrumented with thermocouples and heat flux transducers. Ambient temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and insolation are also measured. In th… more

Date: December 1, 1982

Creator: Choudhury, D & Birkebak, R C

Item Type: Report

Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department

open access

Simple empirical method for estimating the performance of a passive solar heated building of the thermal storage wall type

Two methods are presented for estimating the annual solar heating performance of a building utilizing a passive thermal storage wall of the Trombe wall or water wall type with or without night insulation and with or without a reflector. The method is accurate to +-3% as compared with hour-by-hour computer simulations.

Date: January 1, 1978

Creator: Balcomb, J.D. & McFarland, R.D.

Item Type: Article

Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department

open access

Dynamic measurement of heat loss coefficients through Trombe wall glazing systems

A Trombe wall presents a unique opportunity to measure the heat-loss coefficient through the glazing system because the wall itself can be used as a heat meter. Since the instantaneous heat flux through the outer wall surface can be determined, the heat loss coefficient at night can be calculated by dividing by the wall surface-to-ambient temperature difference. This technique has been used to determine heat-loss coefficients for Los Alamos test rooms during the winter of 1980-1981. Glazing sys… more

Date: January 1, 1981

Creator: Balcomb, J. D.

Item Type: Article

Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department

open access

Passive solar design calculations with the DOE-2 computer program

The DOE-2 computer program has been modified to improve modeling of passive-solar buildings by the addition of the custom weighting-factor method. The thermal-load and air-temperature calculation procedure in DOE-2 are described. Assumptions inherent in the use of American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) precalculated and the custom weighting factors are discussed. Calculated results from DOE-2 are compared with measured heat-extraction rates and air t… more

Date: January 1, 1980

Creator: Kerrisk, J.F.; Moore, J.E.; Schnurr, N.M. & Hunn, B.D.

Item Type: Article

Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department

open access

Simple procedure for schematic design of passive solar buildings

A simple procedure for use during the schematic phase of passive solar building design is presented in this article. The procedure is quantitative and accurate enough to insure that designs based on the provided starting point values of the primary building parameters will be cost effective.

Date: January 1, 1984

Creator: Wray, W.O. & Kosiewicz, C.E.

Item Type: Report

Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department

open access

Fast correlation method for passive-solar design

A passive-solar design manual for single-family detached residences and dormitory-type buildings is being developed. The design procedure employed in the manual is a simplification of the original monthly solar load ratio (SLR) method. The new SLR correlations involve a single constant for each system. The correlation constant appears as a scale factor permitting the use of a universal performance curve for all passive systems. Furthermore, by providing location-dependent correlations between t… more

Date: January 1, 1982

Creator: Wray, W.O.; Biehl, F.A. & Kosiewicz, C.E.

Item Type: Article

Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department

open access

SOLCOST-PASSIVE solar energy design program: User's Guide

The SOLCOST-PASSIVE solar energy design program is a public domain interactive computer design tool intended for use by non-thermal specialists to size passive solar systems with a methodology based on the Los Alamos Solar Load Ratio method. A life cycle savings analysis is included in the program. An overview of SOLCOST-PASSIVE capabilities and the Solar Load Ratio method which it is based on is presented. A detailed guide to the SOLCOST-PASSIVE input parameters is given. Sample problems showi… more

Date: September 1, 1980

Item Type: Report

Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department

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Passive solar design handbook

The Passive Solar Design Handbook, Volume Three updates Volume Two by presenting extensive new data on the optimum mix of conservation and solar direct gain, sunspaces, thermal storage walls, and solar radiation. The direct gain, thermal storage wall, and solar radiation data are greatly expanded relative to the Volume 2 coverage. The needed flexibility to analyze a variety of system designs is accommodated by the large number of reference designs to be encompassed - 94 in contrast to 6 in Volu… more

Date: January 1, 1981

Creator: Jones, R.W.

Item Type: Article

Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department

open access

Summertime results from the Class B passive-solar performance-monitoring program

The DOE/SERI Class B passive solar monitoring program is designed to provide, at relatively low cost, accurate and consistent real-time estimates of building thermal performance, as well as detailed data regarding climate, indoor temperatures, and purchased energy needs. As part of this program, a microprocessor-based data acquisition system has been installed in each of ten passive solar houses in the Denver area, primarily to evaluate heating-season performance. During the summer, however, th… more

Date: July 1, 1981

Creator: Swisher, J.

Item Type: Article

Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department

open access

Passive-solar retrofit study for the United States Navy

A passive solar retrofit study has been conducted for the United States Navy at the Los Alamos National Laboratory. The purpose of the study was to determine the energy savings obtainable in concrete block buildings from several passive solar heating strategies. A procedure involving the use of test cell data and computer simulation was employed to assess the merits of six retrofit options. The six strategies selected were chosen on the basis of providing a series of options that will deliver i… more

Date: January 1, 1981

Creator: Wray, W.O. & Miles, C.R.

Item Type: Article

Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department

open access

Design and construction of a demonstration residence utilizing natural thermal storage

The Brookhaven House is an energy conserving residence which demonstrates how thermal mass combined with solar energy can be used to reduce heating costs in a conventional single-family house. The purpose of the project was to develop a prototypical house design that could result in immediate energy savings by being an acceptable, attractive design to developers, builders, and home buyers. Investigations were limited to only materials and methods of construction that were considered presently a… more

Date: January 1, 1981

Creator: Jones, R.F. & Ghaffari, H.T.

Item Type: Article

Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department

open access

Comparative economics of passive and active systems: residential space heating applications

The economic performance of alternative designs are evaluated. One passive design is emphasized, the thermal mass storage wall. The economic performance of this design is examined and subsequently contrasted with one active design, the air collector/rock storage system. Architectural design criteria, solar performance characteristics, and the incremental solar cost of each design is briefly reviewed. Projections of conventional energy prices are discussed, along with the optimal sizing/feasibil… more

Date: January 1, 1978

Creator: Roach, F.; Noll, S. & Ben-David, S.

Item Type: Article

Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department

open access

Free convective laminar flow within the Trombe wall channel

Free convective laminar heat transfer between the channel surfaces of the Trombe wall has been investigated. This study considered the velocity profiles normal and parallel to the direction of fluid flow, the pressure drop due to flow acceleration at the channel entrance, and the effect of a variety of dissimilar but uniform channel surface temperatures for a wide range of flow rates. A finite difference procedure was used to solve the governing equations in dimensionless form using air as the … more

Date: August 1, 1978

Creator: Akbari, H. & Borgers, T.R.

Item Type: Report

Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department

open access

Passive-solar techniques for the mobile/modular housing industry

Using a fairly typical mobile home design, it is shown that state-of-the-art mobile/modular housing and passive solar techniques can be used together. Computer simulations are used to analyze the concept. Size conditions at a mobile home park are considered. Glazing orientation, shading, and thermal storage are included in the analysis. (LEW)

Date: January 31, 1983

Creator: Osborn, D.C.

Item Type: Report

Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department

open access

Trombe wall vs direct gain: a comparative analysis of passive solar heating systems

Until recently only the thermal storage wall passive solar heating system had been characterized by thermal network calculators using hour-by-hour historical weather data. The greater popularity and market acceptability of direct gain systems has led to a lively, but inconclusive debate concerning the relative effectiveness of the two configurations. The recent development and validation of PASOLE/SUNSPOT, a thermal network code for direct gain enclosures, has provided the tool necessary for a … more

Date: January 1, 1979

Creator: Wray, W.O. & Balcomb, J.D.

Item Type: Article

Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department

open access

Bridgeview Park facility solar retrofit

The weatherization and insulation of a presently unheated frame park building and the installation of a Trombe wall on the south side of the structure for passive solar heating are planned. The major objectives of the project are to increase the exposure of local residents and visitors to passive solar technology and to demonstrate the applicability of passive solar technology to residential, commercial and recreational buildings. Some changes in the original plans are discussed. Five blueprint… more

Date: January 1, 1981

Item Type: Report

Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department

open access

Long-term performance of the Hunn passive solar residence

Detailed performance and annual energy consumption data are reported, as well as occupant observations and conclusions, for three heating seasons in the Hunn hybrid passive/active solar residence located in Los Alamos, New Mexico. The performance data were gathered by the Los Alamos National Laboratory and include hourly storage wall and interior temperature data for a midwinter period, an interior air-temperature histogram, and measured auxiliary energy consumption and solar heating fraction f… more

Date: January 1, 1981

Creator: Hunn, B.D.

Item Type: Article

Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department