Cost-effective solar collectors using heat pipes. Interim progress report No. 3, October 1978-June 1979

A completed study of a solar hot water heating system installed in a school showed an annual average efficiency of 15%, the low efficiency largely caused by the unfavourable pattern of use in schools. Field studies, in 80 existing and 12 new houses, of a simple domestic hot water system have been initiated to ascertain the influence of the occupants on the actual performance of solar collector systems. The development of testing methods of solar collectors and solar water heating systems is being undertaken in close collaboration with the B.S.I. and the E.E.C. Solar space heating is being investigated in two experimental low energy house laboratories, one using conventional solar collectors with interseasonal heat storage and the other a heat pump with an air solar collector. Studies of the cost-effectiveness of solar collector applications to buildings in the U.K. show that they are far less cost-effective than other means of conserving energy in buildings.

Testing and Analysis of a Heat-Pipe Solar Collector

Journal of Solar Energy Engineering ◽

10.1115/1.3266405 ◽

1983 ◽

Vol 105 (4) ◽

pp. 440-445 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

J. Ribot ◽

R. D. McConnell

Keyword(s):

Heat Pipe ◽

Solar Collector ◽

High Efficiency ◽

Heat Pipes ◽

Solar Collectors ◽

Empirical Tests ◽

Heat Transfer System ◽

Evacuated Tube ◽

Glass Heat ◽

Theoretical Analyses

We developed an integral heat-pipe/evacuated-tube solar collector in which the inner receiver tubes form the evaporator sections of glass heat pipes. This paper describes both theoretical analyses and empirical tests, comparing the performance of the glass heat-pipe solar collector with one of today’s high efficiency evacuated-tube solar collectors. The comparison demonstrates that the performance of the two collectors is effectively identical. The testing and analysis indicate that the glass-wick-type glass heat pipe is an effective heat transfer system for evacuated-tube solar collectors.

Heat Pipes in Solar Collectors

Advances in Heat Pipe Technology ◽

10.1016/b978-0-08-027284-9.50010-3 ◽

1982 ◽

pp. 47-54 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

R. Bairamov ◽

K. Toiliev

Keyword(s):

Heat Pipes ◽

Solar Collectors

COMPUTERS IN CIVIL ENGINEERING: A PROGRESS REPORT. BRIEFING. (MEETING: ""COMPUTER NETWORKS - ARE THEY COST EFFECTIVE?"" COMPUTER APPLICATIONS AND METHODS PANEL, ICE, 22 SEPTEMBER 1993. INCLUDES DISCUSSION.)

Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Civil Engineering ◽

10.1680/icien.1995.27297 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 108 (1) ◽

pp. 45-50

Author(s):

D LEONARD ◽

B GEE ◽

S WYER ◽

J C NORRIS ◽

M STANWORTH ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Computer Networks ◽

Civil Engineering ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Progress Report ◽

Computer Applications

Optimum Seeking Position Control of Solar Collectors

Advanced Materials Research ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.62-64.537 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 62-64 ◽

pp. 537-542

Author(s):

A.S. Kadalla ◽

I.L. Samaila ◽

N.Z. Oriolowo

Keyword(s):

Feedback Control ◽

Experimental Work ◽

Position Control ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Solar Collectors ◽

Solar Systems ◽

The World ◽

Solar Conversion ◽

The Cost ◽

Feedback Control Theory

The main hindrance to the widespread of solar systems is the cost of the solar collectors. Researchers all over the world have been exploring different means of overcoming this limitation in order to make solar conversion more cost effective. This paper describes an experimental work on optimum seeking position of solar collectors using feedback control theory. Single axis tracking mode is employed together with sun seek sensor for automatic reset. The performance of the tracking collector compares favorably against a fixed collector.