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Experimental assessment and 3D numerical simulation of the thermal performance of a direct solar floor heating system installed in a bathroom in Casablanca city, Morocco: parametric, economic, and environmental analysis

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Abstract

The installation of direct solar floor (DSF) heating systems in Morocco is highly efficient due to its abundant solar potential, making it an optimal location for the implementation of solar energy systems. This system allows residential buildings to be heated in an environmentally friendly manner while reducing electrical energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. This article aims to study the thermal and energy behavior of a test cell equipped with a direct solar floor located in a Moroccan city under a Mediterranean climate, to analyze the thermal and dynamic behavior of the heating system and its interaction with the indoor environment. A novel 3D numerical model of a floor heating system connected to a test cell was developed using COMSOL Multiphysics software to evaluate how altering multiple parameters affects the thermal response of the system. The simulation results demonstrate that the spiral tube network, mass flow rate \({{q}_{m}}_{3}\), and 75 mm thick screed layer based on concrete are more favorable for the proper operation of the heating system in a traditional bathroom. Furthermore, the results and temperature distributions show that the floor heating system ensures a more uniform distribution of temperature and a more homogeneous distribution of the layers of the isotherms, contrary to the radiator. The economic study shows that the direct solar floor can save about 17.88% of energy compared to a conventional heating system, with an expected payback period of approximately 5 years. Additionally, from an environmental perspective, the direct solar floor system can reduce CO2 emissions by about 22.61% compared to an electric heating system.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Advanced Materials Studies and Applications, FS-EST, Moulay Ismail University, BP 11201, Meknes, Morocco

    Afaf Charraou, Amina Mourid, Rachid Saadani & Miloud Rahmoune

  2. Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Laboratory, National High School of Mines of Rabat, Rabat, Morocco

    Safaa Oubenmoh

  3. Advanced Materials and Thermal Physics Laboratory (LPMAT), FS Ain Chock, Hassan II University of Casablanca, 20100, Casablanca, Morocco

    Mustapha El Alami

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  1. Afaf Charraou
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Contributions

Afaf Charraou: state of the art and manuscript drafting, simulation and validation, investigation, formal analysis, Safaa Oubenmoh: Methodology, investigation, supervision and writing, Amina Mourid: Methodology, Supervision, guidance and direction, Rachid Saadani: Methodology, Supervision, guidance and direction, Miloud Rahmoune: Supervision, formal analysis guidance and direction, Mustapha El Alami: Supervision, formal analysis guidance and direction

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Correspondence to Afaf Charraou.

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Charraou, A., Oubenmoh, S., Mourid, A. et al. Experimental assessment and 3D numerical simulation of the thermal performance of a direct solar floor heating system installed in a bathroom in Casablanca city, Morocco: parametric, economic, and environmental analysis. J Build Rehabil 9, 78 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41024-024-00408-4

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