FireDOC Search

Author
McCabe, M. E. | Hancock, C. E. | VanMigom, M.
Title
Thermal Performance Testing of Passive Solar Components in the NBS (National Bureau of Standards) Calorimeter.
Coporate
National Bureau of Standards, Gaithersburg, MD
Sponsor
Department of Energy, Washington, DC
Report
NBSIR 84-2920
August 1984
Distribution
Available from National Technical Information Service
Keywords
calorimeters; thermal measurements; tests; components; performance; windows; solar energy; test facilities; walls | solar collectors | solar energy
Identifiers
passive solar heating systems; passive solar cooling systems; solar collectors; shutters
Abstract
Studies of the thermal performance of passive solar buildings have indicated a need for precise measurement of solar heat gain and thermal heat loss or gain for modular passive/hybrid solar components in the outdoor environment. A description of the design, calibration, and initial operational results for a new calorimetric test facility designed to perform these measurements is presented in this report. The test facility is located at the National Bureau of Standards in Gaithersburg, MD, and it is anticipated that it will provide a substantial improvement in the measuring techniques for passive and hybrid solar components over the field test cells currently in use. Thermal performance data were taken for four passive solar test articles during the winter of 1982-1983, including two windows and two collector storage walls. Test results are correlated as U-values and Shading Coefficients for the two windows.