Widespread public acceptance of heating and cooling systems utilizing alternative energy sources is largely dependent on their ability to replace conventional systems with no appreciable loss in comfort or convenience. Research was done to determine why current passive solar heating systems and double-shell solar heating/ground cooling systems do not have performance comparable to conventional systems. This information was then utilized to develop the concept for a new multifunction wall system for application with solar heating and ground cooling. The concept of this system is to expand the use of the structure and enclosure elements of a building to function additionally as: The ductwork for the solar heated or earth cooled air, the heat transfer membrane between the heated or cooled air and the living environment of the building, the heat storage medium (in winter), and the temperature leveling and control medium. All these functions are integrated into a single wall construction using a new concrete block and other supporting components. In addition to developing the concept, several critical components of the system were physically tested and analyzed. This paper presents the research, concept development, testing, and conclusions for this new system, a multifunction wall system for application with solar heating and ground cooling. / M. Arch.

Thesis (M.S.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Architecture, 1983. / MICROFICHE COPY AVAILABLE IN ARCHIVES AND ROTCH / Includes bibliographical references (p. 69-70). / A prototype for a dwelling heat loss compensator is introduced in this thesis, along with its measured thermal performance and suggestions for its future development. As a heat loss compensator, the Sol-Clad-Siding collects, stores, and releases solar heat at room temperatures thereby maintaining a neutral skin for structures, which conserves energy, rather than attempting to supply heat into the interior as most solar systems do. Inhabitants' conventional objections to passive-solar systems utilized in housing are presented as a contrasting background. The potential of the outer component, a Trans-Lucent-Insulation as a sunlight diffuser and transmitter (65 to 52% of heating season insulation) and as a good insulator [0.62 W/(sq m) (°K) [0.11 Btu/(hr) (sq ft) (°F) 1] are described. The performance of the inner component, a container of phase-change materials as an efficient vertical thermal storage is discussed, and areas for future research are addressed. A very brief application of this passive-solar curtain wall system for dwellings is also given. / by Doru Iliesiu. / M.S.

The transwall system, proposed and developed by Fuchs and McClelland, fulfills the function of a passive solar heating device as well as an architectural element the window. The significance of the transwall system, in the author's opinion, lies in its expression of technologies in an architectural way. Several directions for further development are suggested to modify the transwall system into a multifunction architectural element so as to maximize utility. These architectural uses are: (1) an adjustable thermal mass; (2) a passive cooling device; (3) an interior design element; (4) a component of a convertible greenhouse and living space; and (5) a shading device. / M. Arch.

The nighttime losses from an integral collector storage (ICS) system were investigated. The significance of the sky temperature, wind speed, and ambient temperature on the losses were examined. Outdoor data was taken on several nights to characterize the thermal performance of an ICS system under various environmental conditions. Indoor tests were then performed under an artificial "nighttime sky" environment, with a simulated wind, in an attempt to duplicate the heat losses which occurred outdoors. The standard rating procedure which specifies the conditions for the heat loss tests for ICS systems was analyzed to see how well it characterizes the collector performance at night. Experimental results indicate a synergistic effect between the sky temperature and wind speed. The effects of wind on the losses from the ICS system overshadow the effects of small changes in sky temperature, but larger changes of sky temperature, with a constant wind speed, have a pronounced effect. It is recommended that both of these parameters be taken into account in heat loss tests in standard rating procedures. Indoor tests can duplicate outdoor heat loss results within 8 per cent. The minimum requirement for SRCC rating tests should be to monitor, record, and report the sky temperature. / M.S.

This study presents a comparison of field measurements of energy delivered by five integral collector storage (ICS) passive solar water heater systems installed at various geographic locations in Virginia to predicted values calculated using Annual Performance Methodology (APM). APM is a prediction method developed by Alan Zollner that offers quick and easy comparisons of design option for ICS systems. Several different methods exist today that are meant to predict the performance of this type of system and that might be used as a design tool to help a designer make appropriate design decisions. Some of these methods are quite complicated and do not lend themselves to quick and easy comparisons of various design options. This study measured the amount of energy delivered by five ICS systems over a six month period. The amount of water drawn out of these systems daily was also recorded. This data was compared to predicted values calculated using APM to determine if APM could predict the performance of these systems within plus or minus 15 percent of the measured values. This study demonstrates that APM was able to predict long term performance of ICS systems within plus or minus 15 percent eighty percent of the time. Short term performance however demonstrated variation that in some cases were quite large and could not be considered reliable predictions. / M. Arch.