Kiyoshi Ochifuji

Field experiments and analyses on a hybrid solar collector

Abstract This paper describes the effectiveness of a hybrid solar collector that generates both electric power and heat. Experiments and analyses were conducted on power and heat generation characteristics of the hybrid solar collector. First, experiments under constant supply temperature of brine were made and it was found that conversion efficiency ranged from 10% to 13%, and that collector efficiencies at 20 and 40 °C brine temperature were from 40% to 50% and approximately 20%, respectively. Second, the efficiency of the hybrid solar collector was compared to those of a photovoltaic and a solar collector and it was clarified that the hybrid collector had an advantage in terms of exergy efficiency, though there is some lowering of collector efficiency. Evaluation of annual energy balance of hybrid solar collectors installed on a low energy house at Hokkaido University proved the hybrid solar collectors to have a high degree of feasibility.

Development of a database of low energy homes around the world and analyses of their trends

This study aims to develop a database of low energy techniques for homes around the world, for use in systematically evaluating the low energy home in each region, where climate, culture and policy differ. First, a database was made for the purpose of the systemizing passive and active techniques. Data were input according to seven chapters and 155 items, and 66 homes in 17 nations have been recorded. Homes adopting super insulation, high airtightness and solar energy utilization are common in the each country. The thermal insulation performance of wall and window of the housing in Japan is somewhat inferior to that overseas. It was shown that exhaust heat recovery is rarely adopted in Japan and that the underground thermal energy utilization was seen in less than 10% of recorded homes. Second, recorded homes were categorized according to characteristics of adopted strategies, and the reduction rate of purchased energy versus the purchased energy for a typical home was calculated. This revealed the purchased energy reduction rate of homes with both solar heat utilization and photovoltaic power generation to be very high.

An electrostatic integrating 222Rn monitor with cellulose nitrate film for environmental monitoring.

This paper describes a new type of electrostatic integrating 222Rn monitor designed for the environmental 222Rn monitoring. The window area of the monitor was selected to make the exchange rate optimal. The collecting electrode was positioned on the basis of calculating the internal electric field. A drying agent, P2O5, was placed in the bottom of the monitor, since the collection efficiency of 218Po+ atoms depends on the humidity of the air. The monitors have been calibrated against known 222Rn exposures. The detection limit is 1.2 Bq m-3 for an exposure time of 2 mo. In a small survey, annual mean 222Rn concentrations between 3.7 and 9.5 Bq m-3 in outdoor air and between 6.4 and 11.9 Bq m-3 in indoor air were measured.

Influence of natural convection on forced horizontal flow in saturated porous media for aquifer thermal energy storage

Abstract Estimation of the heat recovery rate in high-temperature underground storage (>50 °C) is required before such a system can be built. However, if high-temperature water is injected into and stored in the aquifer, large-scale natural convection could occur that might reduce the heat recovery rate. This study aims to clarify the universal quantitative condition under which natural convection appears and exerts an observable influence for a system with forced horizontal flow in the saturated porous medium. The authors investigated this using both experiments and computer simulations. A test section simulating an aquifer was made. Warm water was injected into the test section, which was filled with glass beads. The temperature distribution and the flow rate profile at the outlet were measured. The authors found that the limit condition at which natural convection influences the forced horizontal flow can be determined from the velocity profile and modified Rayleigh number Ra*. In addition, the heat transfer coefficients of the upper and the lower side of walls were estimated. A computer simulation was made for calculation of the temperature field and the velocity vector in the porous medium under natural convection and under forced convection. As calculated temperature fields and flow rate distributions at the outlet were similar to the experimental results, it is thought that this program can be applied to evaluation of the temperature and the velocity of aquifer thermal energy storage. In addition, an index expressing the degree of influence of natural convection on forced convection was proposed.

Study on underground thermal characteristics by using digital national land information, and its application for energy utilization

This paper describes a method for evaluating characteristics of underground thermal properties and groundwater, whose evaluation is essential for designing systems of underground thermal energy utilization. First, the systems using underground thermal energy are classified into two categories: borehole system with indirect heat exchange, and aquifer system with direct use of underground water. These systems are also divided into thermal storage systems and heat source/sink systems. Second, the characteristics of the underground in Japan are analyzed by using a geographical information system (GIS) and hydrogeological information. Regulations on environmental protection, such as those relating to national parks for instance, and the distribution of thermal energy demand eliminate 77% of Japan from consideration for underground thermal energy utilization. Areas limited to borehole thermal energy utilization account for 17% of areas where underground thermal energy can be used, with the remaining 74% suitable for both boreholes and aquifers. Finally, we estimate the thickness of aquifer and groundwater velocity in Sapporo. We find that most parts of Sapporo are suitable for aquifer thermal energy storage (ATES).

Energy Balance of Low Energy House with Ground Source Heat Pump in Hokkaido

This study describes the construction and evaluation of a low energy house which should be in harmony with the environment, assisted by hybrid natural energy resources as well as supplied by unused energy. An experimental house with ground source heat pump (GSHP) was built at Hokkaido University, Japan in March, 1997. As a result of experiments, it was shown that approximately 80% of the total energy was provided from photovoltaic (PV) modules, solar collectors, underground and exhaust heat. The annual energy consumption was 12.5% of a typical house in Hokkaido.