Análise de potencial de aquecimento do sistema de condicionamento passivo radiante-capacitivo (RC-HCS)

Abstract

This research aims to evaluate the heating potential of commercial solar collectors, commonly used for swimming pool heating, in combination with a radiant-capacitive heating and cooling system, known as the Radiant-Capacitive Heating and Cooling System (RC-HCS), as a passive strategy for low-energy buildings. The purpose is to define the most efficient configuration regarding the number of panels and water flow rate, considering two modes of operation: in manual mode (Circuit 3), analyzing the thermal performance of the solar collectors in isolation; and in automatic mode, where the system operates autonomously through three Circuits (C1, C2, and C3), managed by an intelligent control system that interprets climatic conditions, fluid temperature, and indoor heating demand, based on adaptive comfort criteria established by ASHRAE 55. The experiment was conducted in Curitiba, Brazil, in a Low-Cost Bioclimatic Test Chamber (CBBC). The system comprises six to eight solar collectors, four radiant-capacitive modules (RCM) installed beneath the ceiling, totaling 210.6 liters of thermal mass, a 1000 liters water storage tank, and a pumping and automation system. Parameters such as global solar radiation incidence (Ig), outdoor air temperature (Tout), the temperature of a metallic plate exposed to the sky (Tr), and the temperature difference between Tr and Tout (Δtr) were analyzed to quantify the system’s heating potential. The optimal output is dependent on the number of solar collectors and flow rate. The experimental results confirmed the RC-HCS’s capacity for significant heating, demonstrating the RC-HCS as a viable and efficient passive solution for thermal conditioning of buildings.