| Abstrakt: |
Globally, 42 % of the energy produced is used for heating and cooling applications to maintain thermal comfort for the human body. The selection of these heating systems is governed by initial investment and operating expenses. This study presents the technical and economic assessment of four heating systems: a biomass-based radiator system, an air-air heat pump system, a direct electric heater system, and a hybrid-biomass solar-based radiator system. The heating requirement of the building of an area of 94 m2for the winter months of Kathmandu was determined. Later, the heating systems of standard size were selected for technical and economic assessment to choose the suitable one. Based on degree-day method, the annual heating requirement of the building was estimated to be 10890.5 kWh to maintain a temperature of 20°C. The total yearly energy of 10880 kWh, 3203 kWh, 10890.5 kWh, and 6013.17 kWh were consumed for the biomass, the heat pump, the direct electric, and the hybrid system, respectively. The equivalent energy costs for operation were estimated to be Rs 52,500, Rs 38,436, Rs. 1,19,795, and Rs. 29,000 for the respective systems. Considering the initial and operating costs over 15 years time period, the present worth of the hybrid system is the largest amongst all other systems. Hence, from the study, the hybrid biomass- solar-based radiator is the best heating system for Kathmandu, considering the energy costs and NPW. |
