@article{f5297a0c44d64b999d691aef2ca4e3e2,
title = "The experimental evaluation and improvements of a novel thermal diode pre-heatsolar water heater under simulated solar conditions",
abstract = "This paper presents the development through experimental performance characterisation of a pre-heat Integrated Collector Storage Solar Water Heater using a novel thermal diode operation to reduce ambient heat loss during non-collection periods. Using a solar simulator facility at Ulster University, the novel prototype pre-heat Mark IV unit was tested and evaluated. The concept has been designed and developed to be a sustainable pre-heat alternative to other types of solar water heating systems traditionally used in domestic hot water installations. The highest 6 hour collection efficiency was 36.17% under solar simulated conditions. The lowest system 'U' value was 0.98 Wm-2K-1 with no draw-off conditions. When the current prototype ICS units are compared with other conventional ICS systems, particularly in terms of thermal retention during non-collection periods, an improved performance is clearly demonstrated. The measured thermal losses were approximately 40% less than other similarly measured systems",
keywords = "ICSSWH, pre-heat, solar simulation, thermal diode",
author = "Mervyn Smyth and Patrick Quinlan and Mondol, {Jayanta Deb} and Aggelos Zacharopoulos and Dominic McLarnon and Adrian Pugsley",
year = "2017",
month = dec,
day = "29",
doi = "10.1016/j.renene.2017.12.083",
language = "English",
volume = "NA",
pages = "NA",
journal = "Renewable Energy",
issn = "1879-0682",
publisher = "Elsevier",
}