DIURNAL REVERSE FLUID FLOW IN THERMOSYPHON EVACUATED TUBE SOLAR WATER HEATERS IN A NORTHERN MARITIME CLIMATE

David A.G. Redpath, Stephen N G Lo, Philip C Eames

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

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    Abstract

    Proprietary evacuated tube solar water heaters have superior thermal performance in Northern Maritime climates compared with proprietary flat plate solar water heaters. Typically delivering 5-15% more thermal energy per annum, this is, however, achieved with higher capital costs. The adoption of thermosyphon fluid circulation compared with forced circulation systems allows the capital cost of solar water heating systems to be reduced, reliability increased and similar levels of performance to be achieved, for well designed systems. The thermal performance of an evacuated tube solar water heater system utilising thermosyphon fluid circulation subjected to Northern Maritime climatic conditions at the University of Ulster was monitored from the 23rd of September to 21st of November 2006. Measurements including collector outlet temperatures, mean bulk tank temperatures, ambient temperatures, and incident solar radiation levels were used to determine diurnal efficiency. The manifold of an evacuated tube solar water heater was inclined at 1˚: the manifold outlet being higher than the inlet. During the monitoring period it appeared that thermosyphon flow did not always occur in the direction expected. It was deduced that flow reversal had occurred when the collector inlet temperature was greater than that of the outlet. Comparison of the calculated diurnal efficiency for the days when flow reversal occurred with those when it did not indicated that flow reversal reduced the mean calculated diurnal efficiency by approximately 13%.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationHeat transfer in components and systems for sustainable energy technologies
    Place of Publicationgrenoble france
    PublisherGreth
    Pages611-618
    Volume2
    ISBN (Print)2-9502555-3-1
    Publication statusPublished (in print/issue) - 20 Apr 2007

    Bibliographical note

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    Keywords

    • solar energy

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