Estudio del Comportamiento térmico de pavimentos de mezcla bituminosa y análisis de un colector solar asfáltico multicapa

Abstract

This thesis studies the use of asphalt pavements for capturing and storing the thermal energy radiated by the sun as asphalt solar collectors. first of all, the thermal behaviour of three different type of asphalt mixtures subjected to solar radiation is analyzed. With the results obtained in those tests, afinite difference numerical model was developed and calibrated. This model allows the development of a sensitivity analysis of the most relevant parameters involved. Next, a study is carried out about the relationship between the balck colour degradation suffered by asphalt pavements and the change produced in their energy storage ability. Finally, a new asphalt solar collector prototype is developed in which the pipe network usually used as the heat transfer fluid conductiong element is replaced by a layer of a porous asphalt. Results show an excellent thermal performance of the prototype. However, these good performacne results are in contrast of the flow rates obtained, demonstrating the need for a further research on this technology.