Principles Of Solar Thermal Energy Renewable Energy

Principles Of Solar Thermal Energy Renewable Energy .

Principles Of Solar Thermal Energy

Solar thermal systems convert solar energy into usable thermal energy. It allows you to demonstrate solar thermal heating of domestic water in an illustrative manner. A lighting unit simulates natural solar radiation and allows a range of experiments to be carried out in the laboratory. The light is converted into heat in an absorber and transferred to a heat transfer fluid. A pump conveys the heat transfer fluid through a hot water tank. The heat is released to the water by an integrated heat exchanger in the tank.

Learning Objectives/Experiments

1. Design and operation of a simple solar thermal system
2. Determining the net power
3. Energy balance on the solar collector
4. Influence of illuminance, angle of incidence and flow rate
5. Determining efficiency curves
6. Influence of various absorbing surfaces

Specification

1. Functional demonstration model of a solar thermal system
2. Lighting unit with 25 halogen bulbs
3. Spacing and tilt adjustable collector
4. 2 replaceable absorbers with different coating
5. Solar circuit with pump and variable flow
6. Hot water tank with tube coil as heat exchanger and electrical auxiliary heater
7. Sensors detect temperature and illuminance