Parabolic Solar Water Heater Navajo Preparatory School ... Joe SlideShow.pdf · ABSTRACT The purpose of the solar water heater is to help people in the Navajo Nation. It is cheap

1

Parabolic Solar Water Heater

Navajo Preparatory School, Farmington, New Mexico

Researcher: Deshna Joe

Advisor: Ms. Yolanda Flores, AdvisorMentor: Dr. Daniel Winarski

http://youtu.be/nHF2Ikd4qE0

Intro. Video

http://youtu.be/nHF2Ikd4qE0

2

Student Project: Side View of Solar Water Heater units for rural use, for

homes off the grid.

SUN

sunlight

Proposed Parabolic Solar Water Heater constructed of ¾” plywood, exterior of which is painted black and then covered by a clear acrylic sheet.

The water follows a serpentine path of brass tubing, to be heated.

Infrared radiation from the sun is focused by a parabolic-mirror to heat the brass tubing. Supplemental heating of water by sunlight trapped by an overlying Acrylic sheet (plexiglass could alternately be used).

Provides manufacturing and assembly skills.

Provides winter heating to homes “off the grid.”

Many design alternatives for science fair projects.

Pair of wheels provide mobility.

Combines use of Algebra and Physics

Z

Y

ABSTRACT The purpose of the solar water heater is to help people in the Navajo Nation. It is cheap and uses

only the power of the sun to produce heated water in their homes. The solar water heater will make it

better to heat water naturally and is safe for the environment. I built this solar water heater to give the

people in the Navajo nation the possibility of having warm water in their homes. This water heater is

inexpensive and easy to make. The purpose of this research is to build a solar water heater and to find

out which solar water heater , one without an auxiliary parabolic mirror or one with an auxiliary parabolic

mirror without cover, with acrylic cover and with a Plexiglas cover will produce the biggest change in

temperature. The hypothesis was the solar heater that produces the biggest change in temperature is

the solar water heater with an auxiliary parabolic mirror covered with Plexiglas.

Assemble the box, by gently drilling holes with a drill bit .Second attach the both ends and one side.

Third attach parabolic ribs within the box. Attach the second side to enclose the box. Fourth ½ copper

pipe within box (serpentine path). Attach covers when testing with acrylic or Plexiglas covers. The solar

water heater then used to produce higher temperature, which is powered by a solar panel. Temperature

input and output were measured at different times of the day.

The results of the scientific research did not support the hypothesis. The hypothesis was that, the

solar water heater that produced the biggest change in temperature would be the solar water heater with

parabolic auxiliary mirror covered with Plexiglas. However in the experiment, the solar water heater with

auxiliary parabolic mirror covered with acrylic produced the biggest change in temperature of 7.23 0C.

3

QUESTION1. Which parabolic solar water heater produces the biggest change in temperature using,

a. Without auxiliary parabolic mirrors using,

a.1. No cover

a.2. Acrylic plastic cover

a.3. Plexiglas cover

b. With auxiliary parabolic mirrors using,

b.1. No cover

b.2. Acrylic plastic cover

b.3. Plexiglas cover

4

HYPOTHESIS

The solar water heater that produces the biggest change in

temperature would be the solar water heater with parabolic auxiliary

mirrors covered with Plexiglas.

5

VARIABLES

Independent Variables

Solar water Heater

1. Without auxiliary parabolic mirrors

using,

a.1. No cover

a.2. Acrylic plastic cover

a.3. Plexiglas cover

2. With auxiliary parabolic mirrors using,

b.1. No cover

b.2. Acrylic plastic cover

b.3. Plexiglas cover

Dependent Variables

Change in temperature

The temperature of the water

6

BACKGROUND RESEARCH A water heater is a manmade invention; the

purpose of the water heater is to heater water

and hold water. A water heater is a house hold

appliance consisting of a gas or electric

heating tank. Around the 1870, an Englishman

named Maughan. He invented the first instant

water heater. His design of the solar water

heater was influenced by the designs of

Edwin Ruud. Edwin Ruud, a Norwegian

mechanical engineer was the inventor of the

automatic storage water heater. He

immigrated to Pittsburgh. He soon pioneered

the early development of residential and

commercial water heaters.

Solar is energy that is generated from the

sun. The energy can be heat or light from the

sun. This is used to create heat, light,

electricity, and hot water. Solar is a type of

energy also called solar energy. To convert

light from the sun to electricity is called

“Photovoltaic”. In 1839 a nineteen year old

young man named Alexandre-Edmond

Becquerel discovered the photovoltaic effect.

Solar energy is used all over the world for

powering houses, warming homes and

charging vehicles too. (Nasso Christine, 2009)

A solar panel is man-made material that is

built to convert the sun light and heat from the sun

into electricity. They call it solar panel, because it

uses most of the sun to power the device to make

electricity. A panel is a collection of cells that are

used to create energy. Solar panels are used to help

people generate electricity from the sun for free.

Using solar panels are energy efficient and are eco-

friendly. (Parks Peggy, 2010)

A parabola is a two dimensional shape. A

parabola is also called a parabolic. A parabolic is a

curve shape. A parabolic shape has a focus point

that has a equal distance from one point to the

other. The parabola is also used in space for

example; satellite dishes, radars dishes and many

other that need to be at a focus point. (Kirk T 2010)In this engineering experiment, a parabolic water

heater was built using the concepts of solar energy,

solar panel and parabola. This water heater used a solar

panel to capture sunlight and is transmitted via a

photovoltaic system to the water heater shape as a

parabola in order to create a focus point from the

mirrors/aluminum foil to capture the greatest amount of

heat from the sun aside from the solar panel to heat up

the water running in the tubes. This parabolic water

heater could be used in the greenhouse of the school to

provided hot water for washing. It can also be attached

to tubing in a Hogan in the reservation to heat up water

as well. 7

MATERIALS Quantity

¾ in plywood (1)

Chicago-Electric 45 watt Solar-kit

Model 90599 (1)

3519 trutemp Pen style

Thermometer (2)

Irrigation Pump 12 volt to move the

water through the solar heater (1)

2” Grip-Rite wood Screws (T-20

Drive) (1 Box)

Lath Screws (1 box)

Acrylic sheet 24” by 48” (1)

Plexiglas sheet 24” by 48” (1)

Aluminum Roll (2 boxes)

Card board (4 sheets)

Cerro type M copper Pipe (1/2”x

10”) (2)

NIBCO 10 pack 1/2 –in 90-degree

copper slip elbow fitting (1)

Worthington Lead-free soldering kit

(1)

The Hillmen Group 25-count ¼-in x

2- ½ in stainless steel hanger bolts

The Hillman group 50-counted ¼-

in-20 zing plated standard (SAE)

Regular Wing nuts (1)

Rubber hose to connect irrigation

pump to copper tubing (1)

2x4 8’ long( to make easel leg with

a 24” section and a 44” section) (1)

Hinge ( to make easel leg) (1)

Wheels ( to have mobility) ( 2

wheels)

Black outdoor paint ( 1 quart)

Dewalt 2 18-Volt ½” cordless 18-

volt 1/2” (13Mm) Cordless compact

Drill/ Driver kit (1)

8

9

Box - Assuming ¾” Plywood

22.5” dimension changes to 23” if ½” plywood used.

Z

Y

Side (two each)

10 5/8”(271mm)

Note: each side has 3/16” clearance holes for assembly to ends and ribs.

X

Y

22.5” (0.57m)

End

(two each)

Parabolic Rib

(three each)

48” (1.22 meters)

22.5” (0.57m)

10 5/8”(271mm)

10

0.00

0.05

0.10

0.15

0.20

0.25

0.30

-0.30 -0.20 -0.10 0.00 0.10 0.20 0.30

Equation for Parabolic Mirror: Y = AX2 + C in meters

A = 3 and C = 0.025 m (25 mm) which puts the focus inside of the box, for safety reasons.

The Y-intercept “C” of the Parabola is set to 25mm to keep the left and right portions of each Parabolic-Rib connected. Focus = 83.3mm “1/4A” + 25mm “C”, or 108.3 mm

C = 25mm

Focus = 1/4A + C

Infrared light from the sun

11

Box Team - Assembly Instructions

1) Using the variable-speed-drill, GENTLY(slowly pulse the drill) attach side to plywood base. Plywood base is “on top” for this and both ends are used to support the plywood base as the side is attached.

2) Attach both ends to plywood base and to side.

2” Grip-Rite Wood Screws

12

Box - Assembly Instructions

2” Grip-Rite Wood Screws

3) Attach three Parabolic Ribs

13

Box - Assembly Instructions

Water In

Water Out

6) Attach Acrylic Sheet

Acrylic sheet is hand-attached with lathing screws (broad head lowers stress on acrylic).

12 VPump

5) Attach Brass Tubing (Serpentine Path)

Cont. Procedure

14

• Connect hose to SS connector

• Set a two minute timer when testing the temperature difference

• Measure and write down the input temperature of water with a thermometer

• Release water and start water pump simultaneously

• Wait until the timer goes off• Measure/Write down the

output temperature of water• Find the delta T difference in the

water. • NOTE: Did further research to

find the flow rate of the water. Able to find the efficiency of the parabolic solar water heater.

DATA AND GRAPHS

15

Table 1

Temperature of Water Without a Parabolic Mirror

Temperature in 0C

Trials 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 Average

A. NO COVER

Temperature T Input Trial 1 9.70 8.90 9.50 10.10 10.10 9.10 9.00 8.90 8.50 9.10 9.29

Temperature T Input Trial 2 8.9 9.1 9.2 8.9 9.2 9.4 9.5 9.9 9 9.2 9.23


Temperature T

Output Trial 1 11.10 12.90 13.40 13.50 14.10 13.90 14.50 14.00 14.50 13.70 13.56

Temperature T

Output Trial 2 12.9 13.4 14.3 14.4 13.9 15.1 14.8 14.8 15.1 14.4 14.31

Temperature T

Output Trial 3 11.50 11.50 11.10 11.40 11.70 12.40 12.30 12.40 13.40 13.10 12.08

B. WITH ACRYLIC COVER


Temperature T Input Trial 2 11 9.9 8.9 9.5 9.4 9.3 9.4 9.5 9.6 9.8 9.63


Temperature T

Output Trial 1 14.50 14.90 13.90 14.50 15.10 14.50 15.50 15.70 16.10 14.70 14.94

Temperature T

Output Trial 2 14.5 13.1 15.1 14.5 13.1 13.4 13.5 13.4 14.5 15.1 14.02

Temperature T

Output Trial 3 14.10 14.70 14.50 14.30 14.50 14.80 15.10 15.10 15.70 15.50 14.83

C. WITH PLEXIGLASS COVER




Temperature T

Output Trial 1 11.70 14.80 13.40 15.70 15.50 16.70 15.50 14.90 15.70 15.90 14.98

Table 2: Temperature of Water on the Solar Water Heater Using a Parabolic Mirror

Trial

Number

Temperature in 0C

A. NO COVER

Time in Minutes 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 Average




Temperature T Output Trial 1 16.10 15.20 13.10 12.90 13.90 13.90 14.90 14.90 14.90 13.10 14.29



B. WITH ACRYLIC COVER







C. WITH PLEXIGLASS COVER







16

17

Note: This data table was added, because further research was made by the researcher on the efficiency of the solar water heater using flow rate

Table 4

Calculations of Efficiency of the Parabolic Solar Water Heater

Covered with Acrylic Glass

Efficiency Calculation Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Trial 4 Average of

Trials 1-3

Time to fill 1 gallon with

heated water

6 minutes 2 minutes 2.2 minutes 2 3.05

Amount of Water 1 gal 1 gal 1 gal 1 gal 1 gal

1 gal = 3785.4 cubic centimeters 3785.4 cc

1 cc = 1 gram of water 3785.4 grams

Time in seconds

(60 seconds * 3.05 min)

183 sec

Average Mass Flow Rate (dm/dt)

= 3785.4 grams / 183 seconds

20.69 grams/sec

Specific Heat of Water, c 4.1813 Joules/gram x oC

Average Delta_T 7.3125 oC

Heating of water =

dm/dt*c*Delta_T

633 Joules/sec = 633 Watts

Solar Irradiance 1000 Watts/sq-meter

Capture Area of Parabolic Water Heater 0.6m * 1.2 m = 0.72 sq-m

Input Heat from the Sun = Solar Irradiance * capture area 1000 Watts/sq-m * 0.72 sq-m = 720 Watts

Efficiency = Heat output divided by Heat Input 633 Watts/720 Watts = 88%

18

Results & Discussion Table 1, 3 and Figure 1, 2 and 3 shows the parabolic solar water heater without auxiliary

parabolic mirrors. The parabolic water heater without cover produced a temperature

output of 13.31 0C against a temperature input of 9.24 0C showing an increase difference

in temperature of 4.07°C change. The parabolic solar water heater covered with acrylic

produced a temperature output of 14.59°C against the temperature input of 10.01 0C, an

increase temperature difference of 4.58 0C. The parabolic mirror one without Plexiglas

cover produced an output temperature of 13.92°C against an input temperature of 9.94 0C,

a change in temperature of 3.98 0C. In general the solar water heater without parabolic

mirror still increased the temperature of the water but not really high.

Table 2, 3 and Figure 4, 5, 6 show the solar water heater with auxiliary parabolic mirror.

Solar water heater with auxiliary parabolic mirror, without cover produced a temperature

output of 14.63°C against an input temperature of 9.29 0C, producing an increased

temperature difference of 5.34 0C. The solar water heater with auxiliary parabolic mirror

covered with acrylic produced a temperature output of 16.95 0C against a temperature

input of 9.72 0C, an increased temperature difference of 7.23 0C. The solar heater with

auxiliary parabolic mirror covered with Plexiglas produced a temperature output of 15.64 0

C against an input temperature of 9.51 0C, an increased temperature difference of 6.13 0C.

Overall, all solar water heaters without auxiliary parabolic mirrors and solar water

heaters with auxiliary parabolic mirrors heated the water at very significant increase;

however, the solar water heater with auxiliary parabolic mirror covered with acrylic

produced the biggest change and increase in temperature. 19

Impact

The Parabolic Solar Water will have an excellent impact. This will be helpful to the Dine (Navajo) people

on the Navajo reservation, because the solar water heater will generate free heated water for people who do

not have electricity nor running water generate in their houses. The water heater will help maintain the

environment by being eco-friendly and will help prevent global warming. The project is money efficient. The

solar water heater will not cause people to have health problems. The water heater is lighter and has mobility

for people to move the water heater with the sun to generate more heat. The solar water heater can generate

heated water in most climates and also can help with the energy shortages on the Navajo reservation. This

will also help reserve more fossil fuel for the Navajo Nation.

20

CONCLUSION

The results of the scientific

research did not support the

hypothesis. The hypothesis was

that, the solar water heater that

produced the biggest change in

temperature would be the solar

water heater with parabolic

auxiliary mirror covered with

Plexiglas.

However in the experiment, the

solar water heater with auxiliary

parabolic mirror covered with

acrylic produced the biggest

change in temperature of 7.23 0C.

21

FUTURE DIRECTIONS

1.To replace the aluminum parabolic mirror

to use a real mirror instead of

aluminum

2.A higher gauge water pump above 125+

psi should be used for better

performance

3.In the original plan there was no SS

connector and this is used to contain

heat

4.A water valve should be installed to test

the experiment

5.Instead of using a 90 degree elbow

connector, I highly recommended a 45

degree elbow connector to reduce

pressure.

References Dunham W. (1994) The Mathematical Universe: An Alphabetical Journey Through The Great

Proofs,Problems, and Personalities.Canada. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Gibilisco S. (2002). Physics Demystified. New York, NY. Mc. Graw Hill Books

Hantula R. (2010). Solar Power. New York, NY. InfoBase Publishing.

Hosch W. (2011) The Britannica Guide to Geometry. New York, NY. Britannica Educational

Publishing.

Kirk T. (2010). Physics: Course Companion. Neil Hodgeon. Oxford University Press.

Kirk T. (2003) Physics: For The IB Diploma: Standard Higher Level-2nd Edition. Oxford

University Press.

22

23

45 Watt Solar Kit Model 90599

Chicago Electric Power Systems solar array produces DC (Direct Current) electricity

Powers the 12 VDC water pump without need of an AC-DC inverter

Voltage Regulator provides a consistent voltage level to the 12 VDC water pump.

SolarPanel

12 VPump

ElectricalConnector

SolarPanel

SolarPanel

DigitalVoltageDisplay

12VDC

LowVoltage

USB

5V 3V 6V 9V 12V 12V

DC Output

I

O

Power SwitchLEDDisplaySwitch

Voltage Regulator

Solar panels connected “in parallel.”

For an actual implementation, the electrical connector is eliminated and the 12 VDC pump is wired directly into the jack serviced by the 12 VDC outlet.

Emergency Power Off (EPO): Just turn the power switch off. Alternately, pull the jack out of the 12 VDC outlet.

24

IMAGES OF THE PARABOLIC SOLAR WATER HEATER

Photos By: Deshna Joe

25

IMAGES OF THE PARABOLIC SOLAR WATER HEATER

Solar Water Heater without auxiliary parabolic mirror

Solar Water Heater with auxiliary mirror

Photos By: Deshna Joe

Documents

Parabolic Solar Water Heater Navajo Preparatory School ... Joe SlideShow.pdf · ABSTRACT The purpose of the solar water heater is to help people in the Navajo Nation. It is cheap