Knutzen Hall Solar System
Knutzen Hall is highly visible on campus with 6 arrays located on the roof. Each array, or panel, has copper absorber plates inside that collect the energy emitted from the sun during daytime hours. Even on a cloudy day, the system will function as a source of energy and is not affected by outside ambient temperatures.
The absorber plates are connected to the solar pipe distribution system that is filled with a food grade, non-toxic glycol. As the energy becomes available, a pump operated by PV (photovoltaic) panels located at each array will circulate the glycol solution through the system harvesting the energy available and carrying it to the storage tank in the lower level where it is transferred to the domestic water. This storage tank is plumbed in series preceding the fossil fuel heating source, so if solar thermal energy is not available, the heating system will function as the sole provider of heat.
A shell and tube heat exchanger is placed inline preceding the storage tank which allows 55 city water to absorb the low levels of energy during the early and late part of the day. As 55 water enters the exchanger, it can absorb energy raising its temperature as it passes through. This is a closed loop application so as the spent glycol exits the storage tank, it will return to the collectors to absorb more energy and continue the cycle. Since the system is closed, the solar loop operates independent of the fossil fuel system.
This system is designed specifically for Knutzen Hall after the existing fossil fuel boiler and storage tank was evaluated. The demand of water usage and energy was calculated so the solar collection system is able to meet the demands.
This system is equipped with a digital meter (recorder) that monitors water flow rate, domestic water temperatures and solar glycol temperatures in and out of the solar heat exchanger and in and out of the storage tank. This information is continually monitored and recorded by Solar Mining professionals. This meter also monitors the energy produced by the solar panel system and calculates the amount of energy used to heat the water. Information from the meter can tell you on a real time basis how much solar energy is being produced and the resulting domestic water temperature. The energy is calculated in Btu's and then converted to Therms.
View Recorder Index
H20 In = Temperature of water from City as it enters Shell and Tube Heat Exchanger
H20 Out = Temperature of water from City as it exits Storage Tank
Solar Flow Rate = The flow rate of the liquid carrying the solar energy
Solar In = Temperature of Glycol Solution as it enters Shell and Tube Heat Exchanger
Solar Out = Temperature of Glycol Solution as it exits Storage Tank
H20 Entering Storage = Temperature of water entering storage tank from the Shell and Tube Heat Exchanger
Solar to Storage = Temperature of Glycol Solution as it enters the Storage Tank
System = Btu's produced at the exact moment in time
Total Production = Total amount of energy the system has produced to date (you will need to click on "Totals" on the left menu for this value)
H20 Delta = The difference in temperature of the water entering the storage tank and the temperature exiting the tank
Solar Delta = The difference in temperature of the solar liquid entering the storage tank and the temperature exiting the tank
Total Btu's/SqFt/Day = Total amount of energy the system has produced today (you will need to click on "Totals" on the left menu for this value)
Total Production/Mo = Total amount of energy the system has produced this month (you will need to click on "Totals" on the left menu for this value)
This Month = The value as shown on the totals page for value channel 39 (just for monitor display purposes)
The solar equipment is property of Solar Mining Company. They are responsible for all maintenance of the equipment. All information on this page was obtained from Solar Mining Company.
