Phase Change Materials - Eutectic Thermal Energy Storage Products

Ice Thermal Energy Storage (TES) has the advantage of universal availability, low cost and transport ability through other system components. However, a conventional ice TES system for air conditioning application requires low temperature chillers and therefore standard water chillers must be replaced with low temperature glycol chillers which operate with a lower evaporation temperature and consume more power.

If we can offer designers an ice which freezes and melts above or below 0C (32 F) these new products will open new horizons for environmentally friendly and economical systems for both New and Retrofit type process cooling / heating load shifting applications.

Phase Change Material (PCM) Eutectic solutions are mixtures of two or more chemicals which, when mixed in a particular ratio, have a freezing / melting point below or above water freezing temperature of 0 C (32 F) and they offer a thermal energy storage facility between -114 C (-173 F) and +164 C (327 F).

Eutectics are well-known and in fact early applications date back to the late 18th century however the separation and the life expectancy of these mixtures were unpredictable and therefore their wide spread usage was limited.

The disadvantages of a conventional HVAC chiller and ice (water ice) storage system can be overcome by utilising the latent heat capacity of various "Eutectic" mixtures without the need for minus circulation temperatures.

Phase Change Material (PCM) thermal energy storage not only enables the designer to utilise existing chiller technology but also enables charging by means of free cooling, i.e. without running the chillers

Although the term "Eutectic" is widely used to describe the materials we are interested in, a better description would be "Phase Change Materials" ("PCMs"). Unfortunately, very few of the documented PCM solutions are true Eutectics and so many have to be modified to obtain a material suitable for long term use.

PCMs can be broadly grouped into two categories; "Organic Compounds" and "Salt-based Products". The fundamental requirement for a modified Eutectic (PCM) Solution can be classified in three categories, namely stable solution (no separation or degrading), minimum supercooling / heating and finally close freezing and melting temperatures.

There are three fundamental additives commonly used to modify hydrated salt based Eutectic PCM solutions. These three components are firstly Nucleating Agent which encourages Crystal formation and therefore minimizes super cooling and the secondly additive is Freeze Depressant to achieve a lower phase change temperature and thirdly Gelling / Thickening Agent in order to overcome separation and degrading problems.

Once the above components have been carefully applied, a satisfactory Eutectic PCM Solution can be produced from the physical and thermodynamic point of views and commercially available solutions offer a range of -114 C (-173 F) and +164 C (327 F).

However, majority of suitable PCM solutions for HVAC and refrigeration systems are corrosive to commonly used pipe and line components and therefore suitable encapsulation techniques must be applied to overcome this problem while providing the best thermal performance. Various encapsulation techniques such as tube, flat container or alternatively ball concepts have been developed whereby the PCM solutions are encapsulated in plastic and / or metal shell.

The heat transfer between the surrounding media, which flows around or inside the unit and the surrounding PCM solutions, takes place from the outer or inner or the combination of both surfaces of the encapsulated PCM unit. These techniques are generally eliminates the contamination risk and offers an efficient, cost effective, practical and flexible new type of TES designs.

Modern society's reliance on refrigeration and air conditioning indicates that refrigeration and the associated environmental issues will be with us for a considerable time and therefore one has to utilize existing and available alternative technologies with minimum usage of energy.

A Positive Temperature Eutectic Phase Change Material (PCM) Thermal Energy Storage (TES) not only provides the end user with an Environmentally Friendly design but also the following additional benefits can be obtained:

Reduced Equipment Size
Capital Cost Saving
Energy Cost Saving
Environmentally Friendly Installation
Improved System Operation
Flexibility for the Future Capacities

The temperature ranges offered by the proposed PCM solutions utilize conventional chilled water temperature ranges for both the charging and discharging sides of the system. Hence, they can be applied to any new or retrofit application with minimal technical and economical impacts.

Furthermore, the possibility of Free Cooling Cycle, Absorption Chillers, Co-Generation, Solar, Hot Water and Heat Recovery TES system combinations offer new horizons for designers to control the energy balance to match the load and electricity demand / consumption of the system as a whole.

The task for designers is to explore all available technologies towards achieving improved efficiency regardless of which refrigerant is used, and apply where and when possible diversification technologies in order to minimize the overall CO2 emission related to energy usage. A carefully balanced Eutectic, Phase Change Material (PCM) Thermal Energy Storage (TES) may be the answer for some of the cooling applications for an Environmentally Friendly and Economical alternative.

Zafer Ure, M.Sc., C.Eng., MCIBSE., MASHRAE., MInstR., is the Managing Director of Environmental Process Systems Ltd. and has 25 years experience in the HVAC industry and has written many papers for industry conferences and magazines. Details of PCM Products can be found at http://www.pcmproducts.net and Zafer can be contacted on +44 1733 243400 or at z.ure@epsltd.co.uk

Tips For a Green Renovation - Part One

The benefits to renovating green are obvious; not only do you do your part to help the environment, but you create a more marketable home that has lower monthly energy costs than your neighbors. The first article in my upcoming series on green renovation focus on a few of the simpler things you can do to ease your way into living green at home.

1.) Go Local! - Why should you use products produced locally? Not only does it support the local economy, but it also reduces the environmental effects of transporting goods long distances. Find out what types of stone and wood are prevalent to your area and make those your first choice materials.

2.) Use Sustainable and Recycled Building Materials - Sustainable materials, like bamboo for flooring, are more far easier to replace and regrow than traditional hardwoods. Recycled materials, like Terrazzo, can incorporate recycled pieces of granite and glass.

3.) Recycle, Reuse, Refurbish - Renovations produce huge amounts of waste. That waste goes into a landfill. Reuse as much of the "scrap" as possible, refurbish old doors and cabinets and recycle anything you can't reuse or refurbish.

4.) Install Energy Efficient Appliances and Windows - The initial extra investment in EnergyStar Appliances and Windows will come back to your pocketbook many times over with the money you will save monthly on your energy bills. Don't forget to check on tax credits and utility company credits for these as well.

5.) Watch Your Water Usage - Installation of low flow toilets and shower heads along with tankless water heaters can dramatically cut down your water usage.

By following these five simple and affordable tips when you renovate you will have taken a big first step to creating a green home you can be proud of! However, don't stop there! Visit my blog for more green renovation tips, tricks, and suggestions.

Jonathan Blackwell
FHA 203K Specialist
Hometown Lenders
http://www.203KLoan.net
http://www.GoGreenWithFHA.com
404-551-3845

Residential Solar Panel

Residential solar panels gained a lot of popularity in the recent years. The main reason is that they are quite efficient alternative to regular energy sources and thus can cut home utility bills by thousands.

In essence solar panels are made of solar cells that collect sun emission and than transform it into energy that can be used for any household. Many people use them just for home heating as well as producing hot water, while other also use panels to produce electricity.

Why people consider installing panels in their homes? Here are the main benefits:

Earth friendly: Residential solar panels use solar energy to create electricity, heat water or heat your home. In that sense they are totally environmentally safe because they do not use any fuel and thus cause no pollution.

User friendly: A less known fact is that it is quite easy to manufacture solar panels for your household needs by yourself. All kind of panels are very easy to install too. Moreover the maintenance of both DIY and ready made residential solar panels is quite easy and it requires neither a lot of time nor money.

Cost effectiveness: Alternative energy sources require only an initial investment that pays quickly over time. By using solar panels as an alternative to other energy supply you are likely to cut your utilities bill more than half per month.

Perfect for remote areas: Residential solar panels are perfect for energy supply in remote areas that stand out of the main electricity grid. Thus they are perfect for any mountain or agricultural regions.

Noise free: Unlike windmill generators that produce a lot of noise, solar panels are completely noise free. For that reason they are preferred alternative of wend power generators.

Don't take living space: As residential solar panels need sun to generate energy, they are usually installed on the roof of a building. In that sense they don't really take any vital living space.

The only real disadvantage is that solar panels do not work during night or during cloudy weather. However in most cases the energy collected during the day is enough for an average household of four people and their needs.

If you are really interested to create electricity at your backyard using solar power, Earth4Energy is a guide that explains step by step method to create electricity using Solar Panels. One can easily start creating electricity from Solar Power, by taking help of the guide.

Check out Earth4Energy Review

Credit Crunch 2008 and the Great Depression

The world economy is in a strange place due to the credit crunch. People across many nations have felt its effects, and are struggling to find ways to deal with it. The economy hasn't been in a similar place since just before The Great Depression, and several things are contributing to the overall crisis. Banks filing bankruptcy, large corporations failing to stay afloat and having their executives bailed out by governments around the world, as well as rampant home foreclosures have all sent the economy in a downward spiral. Amidst all these foreboding events, it seems difficult to find anything to be happy about. What if there were ways to take advantage of the credit crunch? If so, how could you do it? In this article, I'll give a brief explanation of how you can turn this economic crisis around.

The first important thing you can do is stay positive. Instead of stressing over how terrible the crisis is, try and find little ways to save money. Energy-saving technology is becoming more and more readily available to the public, and is one of the great ways you can spend less to save more. While the gas price seems to have stabilised, it's still pretty expensive across most countries. Riding a bike, walking, or using mass transit (buses and subways) can really help reduce your transportation spending. Reducing heating and air conditioning in your home can keep your energy usage down. By doing these simple things, you can really reduce the impact of the credit crunch on you and your family.

If you've recently mortgaged your house and are trying to avoid defaulting, look up tips online. There are a number of agreements and deals you can make with the lender in order to keep from defaulting, and lending companies and banks are more willing than ever to help people make mortgage payments. The credit crunch doesn't have to cost you your home - but it's up to you to take the initiative and pull yourself out.

The credit crunch is certainly costly for all , but by following some simple money-saving ideas, you can greatly reduce its impact on you and those who are close to you. Be sure to stay on the lookout for any wiggle room, and stay positive! There are plenty of ways you can keep yourself out of economic trouble. You just have to stay alert, keep your chin up; your eyes open and wear that credit crunch smile!

How to Save Money on Electricity With Alternative Energy

Are your electric bills getting out of hand? If so, then perhaps you should consider alternative energy options, to save money on electricity. Wind turbines and solar panels have been on the up rise for quite some time now. People from all across the world are producing their own electricity; it is time for us to grip the future. Start saving money now on electricity with alternative energy.

If you live in a blustery area, Wind turbines are a great way to save you money. Take the necessary steps and you will be on your way to saving money in no time. Although thinking about building your own wind turbine can seem like a hassle, it is actually a very simple, cheap, and can be finished in less than a day with the proper equipment. Previously buying units could be very expensive, now with do-it-yourself methods you can build a wind turbine for very cheap.

Another alternative is solar panels, if you live in a sunny area then solar panels is a great way to harness natural alternative energy and save a lot of money on your electricity bills. Solar panels have been around for a long time but are now more affordable than ever, due to rising demand and do-it-yourself solar panel plans.

Hopefully now you have learned how to save money on electricity with alternative energy. Consider using either a wind turbine or solar panels to generate your own electricity and save big every month. What are you waiting for?

Get your do-it-yourself solar panel and wind turbine instructions, complete with step-by-step video instructions, today.

Go green, save money and reduce your carbon footprint. What are you waiting for?

Build Your Own Windmill

Sick of paying ever increasing energy bills? There are a few solutions in reducing your energy bills, most which are going to also cost you a small fortune. I've looked in to alternative methods and found a financially viable one. Are you ready to build your own windmill?

Wind power is the worlds fastest growing energy source, increasing roughly 30% year on year. As the technology becomes better, prices of ready made home windmills are dropping. Unfortunately, the costs have only dropped to around $20,000 minimum. I recently purchased a simple guide which stated you could build your own windmill for less than $200. I was skeptical to start with but decided to give it a try, anything.

My first windmill has been installed and operational for two months. This coupled with my home built solar panel has cut my electricity bill by around 30%. The guide includes instructions on how to build your own solar panel too. My windmill came in at around $180. I'd advise anyone thinking of doing it to get help from a friend for a couple of stages, like when you attach it to your house. it can be a bit of a balancing act if you try it on your own.

If you think you can build your own windmill and want to get your electricity bill cut down, head over to my website and read my review on the whole process.

This initial investment will save you money on your electricity bills for years to come and you'll also be doing your bit for the planet.

Click Here for my review.

What is the Availability of Solar Energy in the United States?

While America may not be the leading producer of solar energy in the world, we definitely boast some pretty friendly cities that love solar panels. So if you're looking for a new place to homestead and you want to invest in solar technology, consider some of these great cities to live:

• Austin, Texas: While Texas itself may not seem like the most environmentally-friendly state, they boast one of the friendliest cities in America. In Austin, Texas, local rebate programs and energy deals with the local utility company can pay for 60% of your new solar panels upfront. These incentive programs have led to more people buying solar than anywhere else in the U.S.

There's also a boom of solar energy companies in Austin. With so many companies to choose from, you can truly "shop around" for the best deal. Competition breeds affordability when it comes to solar power. Also, Austin is the perfect environment for solar panels. It's sunny almost 300 days out of every year in Austin!

• San Francisco, California: California has long been known for its environmental consciousness. San Francisco currently only has around 900 rooftops planted with solar panels. The mayor of San Francisco came out January 7, 2009 and said he wanted to see 10,000 solar rooftops by 2012. In order to complete their lofty goal, the city is introducing new rebate programs and tools residents can use to plan their power system.

One of these tools is the "Solar Map". This nifty online tool allows San Franciscans to view how much sunlight their home can harvest. The Solar Map uses Google Earth vectoring to determine solar potency for the different city buildings and homes.

In California there's definitely no shortage of great solar power companies. Many of these companies are based in Los Angeles and Santa Barbara. San Francisco is only 4.5 hours away from most of these companies, so you can definitely shop around in California for the best deal.

• Albuquerque, New Mexico: With the new Energy Act and the state incentives that New Mexico offers to residents, up to $18,000 of your solar panel system can be paid for as a rebate (no loans, no re-payment) in New Mexico.

Furthermore, New Mexico has a law that makes their local utility companies pay their customers for the energy they produce. PNM (the utility company in New Mexico) actually pays about .13 cents per kWh produced, and charges their customers only .09 kWh used! If you produce more than what you spend in electricity, then by law the utility company pays you a check.

It's easy to find a great solar energy provider in New Mexico with their New Mexico Solar Energy Association. This group actually allows you to view a solar installation and works much like the BBB of solar power.

These are the friendliest solar cities we could find in America for affordability, rebates, and future solar technology. Keep in mind, many states provide substantial rebates to home owners who are using the power of the sun. On top of rebate incentives, you should carefully weigh how many local companies can provide panels and installations. More companies mean more savings to you as a consumer. Also, keep in mind where your city wants to go with its energy programs. If your city wants to continue expansion of solar energy, then you'll see even more benefits down the road.

Why not build your own solar power at home? You can make your own solar panel with this energy guide at http://123HomeSolarPower.com.
Also check out Philip Richard's blog on solar power at http://Homesolarblog.com.