Professional Documents
Culture Documents
forced flow +better performance +can be installed in large systems +allows independent location of collector and hot water tank
requires more components needs electrical energy for pumping and control is more expensive
natural circulation(thermosiphon) +simple and require less components +work without active control equipment +cheaper
not suitable for large systems less efficient storage tank must be located above the collec
Open loop +simple and require less components +Requires less tecnical skill +Cheaper and less sensitive to flaws
not suitable for frost area not suitable for poor quality water There are basically two types of coatings black solar paint + easy to handle + absorber can be painted locally + good absorption of solar radiation + low costs
high emission losses selective coatings + high absorption of solar radiation + low emission losses + prefabricated absorber stripes exist on the market higher costs must be handles with care Construction of a solar collector The absorber coating
condensation
Construction of a solar collector Insulation insulation of the back side is very important to
reduce heat losses and improve the efficiency at least 5cm of a low conductivity insulator is recommended mineral wool and polyurethane foam is the most common material reflective lamination is often included between layers of insulation Construction of a solar collector transparent cover Why is a transparent cover necessary? protection of the absorber from the environment reduction of heat losses special solar glass (4mm) + high mechanical resistance + high transparency for solar radiation high weight and costs normal glass (4mm) lower mechanical resistance lower trasparency high weight + lower costs polycarbonate cover (3mm) + high resistance + less weight
lower transparency co s t s ? plastic foil + light and cheap low resistance short life span
Conclusions Characteristics of a good collector: selective absorber coating low heat capacity, high heat transfer coefficients iron-free glass cover stiff and light casing sufficient insulation of the back side no thermal bridges at the connecting pipes Two options available: flat-plate collectors evacuated tube collectors