Use of expert systems for the selection and the design of solar domestic hot water systems

The aim of this article is the study of the application of expert systems to a mechanical engineering research domain with practical and commercial interest, such as design and manufacturing of Solar Domestic Hot Water (SDHW) Systems. The issues studied were the selection and the design of SDHW systems. The application of an expert system was explored. Frame and class formalism was used for knowledge representation together with forward and backward chaining techniques for drawing conclusions and utilizing the accumulated information present. The appropriate computer program was developed to yield the selection of SDHW systems using the software tool LEONARDO 3.0 (1989), an integrated environment for the development of expert systems. The developed program was tested with data according to the Greek standard ELOT corresponding to the ISO/DIS 9459-2 and it performed successfully for 21 SDHW systems available on the Greek market. Apart from the possibility of selection of a SDHW system, the program also supports the facility for updating its knowledge base with new data so that it can be adapted to changes appearing on the market. The program proved to be functional and user friendly to a high degree. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.