Análise técnico-econômica de um sistema solar de aquecimento de água por circulação natural localizado em Itajubá − MG

Abstract

The present work represents the initial step to establish at IEM-UNIFEI a research group in the analysis of weather data and its use in engineering applications. A preliminary profile of the climate of Itajubá, MG, was developed based on weather data collected by the Brazilian Space Research Institute (INPE) and the reduced data were used for sizing and simulating the performance throughout the year of a natural circulation solar heater. The weather data analyzed were the ambient air temperature, solar radiation, and wind velocity and direction. In order to perform the simulation mentioned above, a computer routine was developed based on a model of the complete solar system — solar collectors, storage tank, and connecting pipes. The computer routine also allowed for a parametric analysis to be made so as to check the influence of several design parameters on the system performance. Next, a cost-benefit analysis was made to check weather Brazilian lower classes would have access to solar heaters. The payback time was determined for different system capacities using values representatives of the Brazilian financial market.