Dataset on Trombe wall application in a factory building

Area of Science:

• Building Science
• Renewable Energy Engineering
• Thermal Engineering

Background:

• Cold climates like Latvia (average winter temp 0.7 °C) require significant space heating for 6-7 months annually.
• Industrial buildings often have large surface areas suitable for passive solar applications.
• Reducing space heating energy consumption is crucial for cost savings and environmental sustainability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the potential of a passive solar thermal transmission wall (Trombe wall) as a secondary space heating source in an industrial setting.
• To assess the performance of a Trombe wall prototype in a cold climate (Latvia).
• To investigate the Trombe wall's ability to reduce space heating energy consumption.

Main Methods:

• Installation of an experimental passive solar thermal transmission wall (Trombe wall) prototype on a factory building.
• Collection of temperature data at various locations within and around the Trombe wall.
• Continuous monitoring and data acquisition over a period of 17 months (March 2022 - July 2023), including a full annual cycle.

Main Results:

• The experimental Trombe wall prototype demonstrated a significant temperature increase during daylight hours.
• A notable internal temperature gradient (Δt between 1.5 and 5.0 m above ground) was observed.
• The system generated substantial energy output, indicating its viability in moderate and cold climates.

Conclusions:

• The Trombe wall shows considerable potential as a secondary heating source for industrial buildings in cold climates.
• Further development and scaling of Trombe wall systems could lead to significant reductions in space heating costs.
• Recommendations for future improvements include enhancing air circulation and filtration for better performance and comfort.