Active Solar Heating Components and Applications

1
Active Solar HeatingComponents and Applications

• By Peter Washer

2
Components

• Solar Collectors
• - Absorbs Suns energy
• - Transforms Suns energy into thermal energy.
• - Four types of solar collectors
• 1. Flat-Plate Collectors
• 2. Evacuated-Tube Collectors
• 3. Concentrating Collectors
• 4. Transpired Air Collectors

3
Flat-Plate Collector
Glazing frame
Glazing
Inlet connection
Outlet Connection
Enclosure
Flow tubes
Absorber plate
Insulation
4
Evacuated-Tube Collector
Cross Section
Outer glass tube
Evacuated Tube
Absorbing coating
Inner Glass Tube
Fluid Tubes
Glazing
Copper Sheet
Evacuated space
Inflow
Reflector
Outflow
5
Components Contd

• Electric Pump or Fan
• - To distribute solar heat and collect liquids
  to be heated.
• Valves
• - To limit the substance flow through the
  collector.
• Controllers
• - To manage air and water flow.
• Storage Tank or Energy Storage System
• - To store heat for non-daylight hours.

6
Active, Closed-Loop Solar Water Heater
Hot water to house
Flat-plate collector
Cold water input
Antifreeze fluid in Collector loop only
Solar storage/ Backup water heater
Double-walled heat exchanger
Pump
7
Applications

• Space Liquid heater
• Crop drying in developing countries
• Pool heating
• Water disinfection or desalination in future
  research
• Ventilation
• Car Washes
• - Etc.

8
References

• http//www.eere.energy.gov/solar/sh_basics.html
• http//www.solarenergysociety.ca/2003/active.asp
• http//www.healthgoods.com/Education/Energy_Inform
  ation/Renewable_Energy/heating_with_active_solar.h
  tm