Harnessing energy from asphalt

ALH_4

Sure could. It would probably require a second heat exchanger as you mention because of the higher glycol concentration in the snowmelt system. Otherwise the asphalt could be treated simply as a solar collector. Temperature sensor placement in the slab would be critical. You sure wouldnt want to dump heat into the driveway when you are trying to harvest heat from it.

Systems like this almost require a swimming pool in order to be effective because the asphalt is hottest in the summer when there is no heating load.

Bob Gagnon plumbing and heating

Harnessing Energy From Asphalt

The following statement was in an article on green building in my local paper, "The Massachusetts Technology Collaborative in cooperation with Worcester Polytechnic Institute, was pursuing research also underway in Britian and Sweden to harness energy from the heat trapped in asphalt on the warm sunny days." This sounds like Mad Dog's driveway, did he ever finish it? Thanks, Bob Gagnon

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ALH_4

Solar Asphalt

It is wasted energy, but there are quite a few issues with putting tubing in a parking lot or street. Parking lots tend to have cars parked on them during the sunniest period of the day. Streets tend to be deformed by heavy vehicles over time. A driveway wouldn't be so bad. Although, it would be worth investigating whether solar panels could be a better investment with less risk of failure.

scrook_2

If...

snowmelt tubing was already in place (fire dep't aprons/ drives, hospital hele-pads, driveways, walkways) could the working fluid (water/glycol) be diverted thru a differant HX in the summer? Maybe use for DHW, process, steam boiler makeup, etc. water preheat or other?

Bob Gagnon plumbing and heating

Places with a big summertime load

Like Andrew says, a swimming pool, but also how about water parks and amusement parks, or down at the Beach. Lot's of asphalt and a huge summertime load. Think of how hot those parking lots get, even with cars parked there. If we pick and choose the best application of renewable energy at the right location we can greatly increase efficiency.
Thanks, Bob Gagnon

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DanHolohan

Bob,

you should get on my eBlast list (newsletter link on the masthead). I shared some articles about that a couple of weeks ago.

Bob Gagnon plumbing and heating

thanks, Dan

For the heads up. I just signed up for the heating help newsletter, but I think I'm already on it, I must have missed that one. Thanks, Bob Gagnon

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