The Use of Solar Energy for Heating an Asphalt Storage Tank

Report No: 85-R5

Published in 1984

About the report:

A 10,000 gal. asphalt storage tank was equipped with a solar heating system and instrumented to determine its effectiveness over a 12.5-month period. An evaluation of the data indicated that the solar system conserved 25,126 kWh of electrical power during the monitoring period. At a cost of $0.0387 per kWh, savings of $972.24 were realized. A present-value analysis of the data indicated that the investment in solar energy systems to assist in heating asphalt is a favorable alternative to the conventional electrical heating system used by the Virginia Department of Highways and Transportation.

Documents

85-R5

_{Disclaimer Statement:The contents of this report reflect the views of the author(s), who is responsible for the facts and the accuracy of the data presented herein. The contents do not necessarily reflect the official views or policies of the Virginia Department of Transportation, the Commonwealth Transportation Board, or the Federal Highway Administration. This report does not constitute a standard, specification, or regulation. Any inclusion of manufacturer names, trade names, or trademarks is for identification purposes only and is not to be considered an endorsement.}

Authors

Marvin H. Hilton

Last updated: January 16, 2024