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Report documents procedures, results, and recommendations for in-depth analysis of problems with liquid-filled version of concentric-tube solar collector. Problems are related to loss of vacuum and/or violent fracture of collector elements, fluid leakage, freezing, flow anomalies, manifold damage, and other component failures.
The paper is a state-of-the-art review aiming to familiarize those who are new in the solar energy field with past accomplishment in solar energy utilization. Consideration is given to the design features and performance definition of solar collectors. The characteristics of planar collectors, line focusing collectors, and point focusing collectors (including the central receiver concept) are briefly discussed.
The test procedure used and the results obtained from an evaluation test program conducted to obtain thermal performance data on a Sunworks single glazed air solar collector under simulated conditions are described. A time constant test and incident angle modifier test were conducted to determine the transient effect and the incident angle effect on the collector. These results and the results of the collector load test are also discussed.
Results of computer analysis of effects of various manifold insulation detailed in 23-page report show that if fluid is distributed to and gathered from array of solar collectors by external rather than internal manifold, effectiveness of manifold insulation has major influence on efficiency. Report describes required input data and presents equations that govern computer model. Provides graphs comparing collector efficiencies for representative manifold sizes and insulations.
Test procedures used during the performance of an evaluation program are presented. The test program was conducted to obtain the following performance data and information on the solar collector. (1) thermal performance data under outdoor conditions; (2) structural behavior of collector under static conditions; (3) effects of long term exposure to material weathering elements. The solargenics is a liquid, single-glazed, flat plate collector. Approximate dimensions of each collector are 240 inches long, 36 inches wide, and 3.5 inches in depth.
Dynamic modeling is being developed to provide a tool for systematic analysis of performance characteristics in energy systems where time-dependent behavior is important. A dynamic model program designed to aid in the understanding of solar collector behavior over the full range of operating conditions was constructed and tested in the evaluation of a conceptual collector design.
Certain plastic films, such as KAPTON, are known to be stable with excellent long-term aging characteristics under intense uv radiation. Our recent measurements of the optical transmission spectra of KAPTON films show an absorption edge in the blue and are interpreted in terms of an electronic excitation mechanism. The application of this type of film as covering for solar collectors is discussed in regard to the protection this strong uv absorption offers to the materials underneath.
Results are presented for the development of an air flat plate collector for use with solar heating, combined heating and cooling, and hot water systems. The contract was for final development, testing, and certification of the collector, and for delivery of a 320 square feet collector panel.
An experimental apparatus was constructed and utilized in conjunction with both a solar simulator and actual sunlight to test and evaluate various solar panel coatings, panel designs, and scaled-down collector subsystems. Data were taken by an automatic digital data acquisition system and reduced and printed by a computer system. The solar collector test setup, data acquisition system, and data reduction and printout systems were considered to have operated very satisfactorily. Test data indicated that there is a practical or useful limit in scaling down beyond which scaled-down testing cannot produce results comparable to results of larger scale tests. Test data are presented as are schematics and pictures of test equipment and test hardware.
Paper presents tutorial overview of point focusing parabolic reflectors for solar-energy collectors. Optical and thermal characteristics of collectors discussed in detail.
The Vee-Trough/Evacuated Tube Collector (VTETC) was analyzed rigorously and various mathematical models were developed to calculate the optical performance of the vee-trough concentrators, and the quasi-steady state thermal performance of the evacuated tube receivers. Tests were run to verify the mathematical analyses. Back-silvered glass mirror, Alzak, Aluminized Teflon, and Kinglux (electropolished aluminum reflectors) were tested. Additional tests were run at temperatures ranging from 80 to 190 C (176-374 F). For the glass mirror reflectors, peak efficiencies, based on aperture area and operating temperatures of 125 C (257 F), were over 40%. Efficiencies of about 40% were observed at temperatures of 150 C (302 F) and 30% at 175 C (347 F). Test data for several days, predicted daily useful heats, and efficiency values are presented for a full year. These theoretical values were then compared with actual data points for the same temperature range.
Black cobalt oxide coatings (high solar absorptance layer) were deposited on thin layers of silver or gold (low emittance layer) which had been previously deposited on oxidized (diffusion barrier layer) stainless steel substrates. The reflectance properties of these coatings were measured at various thicknesses of cobalt for integrated values of the solar and infrared spectrum. The values of absorptance and emittance were calculated from the measured reflectance values, before and after exposure in air at 650 C for approximately 1000 hours. Absorptance and emittance were interdependent functions of the weight of cobalt oxide. Also, these cobalt oxide/noble metal/oxide diffusion barrier coatings have absorptances greater than 0.90 and emittances of approximately 0.20 even after about 1000 hours at 650 C.
Report presents test procedures and results of thermal-performance evaluation of seven commercial fin tube (liquid) solar collector-absorber plates. Tests were conducted indoors at Marshall Space Flight Center Solar simulator. Results are graphically shown along with supporting test data and summary, indicating efficiency as function of collector inlet temperature.
Report presents performance, installation, operation, and maintenance information for flat-plate liquid solar energy collector. Methods for determining optimum collector sizing are described as well.
The usefulness of vee-trough concentrators in improving the efficiency and reducing the cost of collectors assembled from evacuated tube receivers was studied in the vee-trough/vacuum tube collector (VTVTC) project. The VTVTC was analyzed rigorously and various mathematical models were developed to calculate the optical performance of the vee-trough concentrator and the thermal performance of the evacuated tube receiver. A test bed was constructed to verify the mathematical analyses and compare reflectors made out of glass, Alzak and aluminized FEP Teflon. Tests were run at temperatures ranging from 95 to 180 C. Vee-trough collector efficiencies of 35 to 40% were observed at an operating temperature of about 175 C. Test results compared well with the calculated values. Predicted daily useful heat collection and efficiency values are presented for a year's duration of operation temperatures ranging from 65 to 230 C. Estimated collector costs and resulting thermal energy costs are presented. Analytical and experimental results are discussed along with a complete economic evaluation.
Data taken relating indoor testing using solar simulator at Marshall Space Center has been compared with data taken during outdoor tests in previous studies. Data includes tests on thermal performance, time constance, and incidence-angle modifier tests in table/graph form.
A subsystem (air/liquid vacuum collector) was developed for use with solar combined heating and cooling subsystems. The collector is modular in design, is approximately twelve-feet-three-inches wide and is eight-feet-seven-inches high. The module contains 72 collector tube elements and weighs approximately 300 pounds.
A special analytical solution is provided for the timewise response of the circulating fluid temperatures when a sudden step change of the input solar radiation is imposed and remains constant thereafter. An example which demonstrates the transient temperatures at the exit section of a single collector with two different flow patterns is presented. This study is used to supplement some numerical solutions to provide a fairly complete coverage for this type of solar collector.