Solar Water Heating

by
aruliya keerthi s (pe006)
gokulnath p (pe015)
karthikeyan g (pe023)
sneha r (pe035)
Introduction
 All forms of energy are from Sun.
 Common forms of energy (fossil
fuels) – used in rapid rate – depleted
not too distant future.
 To supply a large portion of our
energy needs – only possibility is
incoming Solar energy from sun.
Introduction (cont…)
 This report describes Solar Water
Heating Systems.
 Its types, specifications, pros and
cons etc.
 Compares Solar water heating system
with Standard water heating System.
Historical Perspective
 The first person known to have used
the sun’s energy on a large scale is
Archimedes.
 Serious studies - seventeenth century
- Galileo and Lavoisier.
 Robert Goddard – 1930 - had five
patents to send a rocket to the moon.
Historical Perspective (cont…)
 Practical uses of solar service hot
water heaters - 1920s and 1930s - in
California.
 The first building to be practically
heated with converted solar service
hot-water heaters was constructed at
the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology in 1938.
Working of Solar Water Heating
System
 Solar energy transmitted as
electromagnetic radiations.
 Solar energy Collectors convert the
sun’s radiation to heat.
 Raise the temperature of the
absorbing material.
 Energy is removed by means of a
heat transfer fluid, which may be
either liquid or gaseous.
Working of Solar Water Heating
System (cont…)
 The water is heated directly – water itself
acts as heat transfer agent.
 Or heated indirectly – glycol or water –
heat transfer agent.
 The absorbed heat is later transmitted to
stored water.
 Solar heated water is then stored for use as
needed.
 A conventional water heater provides any
additional heating that might be necessary.
Solar Collectors
 The device used for extracting sun’s
energy in more useable and storable
form.
 Types of Solar Collectors
Flat-plate Collectors
Evaculated tube Collectors
Concentrating Collectors
Flat-plate Collectors
 Intercept solar radiation on a metal or glass
absorber plate - Heat transfer.
 The temperature of the absorber plate is
greater than that of the environment - heat
losses occur.
 100 % collector efficiency cannot be
realized in practice.
 Inferior to evacuated tube collectors - still
used in many countries.
Evacuated Tube Collectors
 Made up of rows of parallel, glass tubes –
Solar tubes.
 Type – 1: Glass-Glass - tubes - two glass
tubes - fused together at one end. Inner
tube - selective surface coated - absorbs
solar energy - inhibits radiative heat loss.
Air is evacuated b/w two glass tubes -
vacuum eliminates conductive and
convective heat loss. Performs well in low
temperature areas.
Evacuated Tube Collectors (cont…)
 Type – 2: Glass-Metal - tubes - single
glass tube. Inside tube - flat or
curved aluminium plate attached to a
copper heat pipe or water flow pipe.
Reliable and cheaper than glass-
glass.
 Type – 3: Glass-Glass - water flow
path - tubes - water flows into the
tube itself.
Concentrating Collectors
 Parabolic troughs - Mirrored surfaces
- concentrate the sun's energy on an
absorber tube (receiver) containing a
heat transfer fluid or water itself.
 Commercial power production
applications - because very high
temperatures can be achieved.
Solar Water Heating System -
Types
 Active Systems
Open-Loop Active Systems or
Direct Systems
Closed-Loop Active Systems or
Indirect Systems
 Passive Systems
Thermosiphon Systems
Batch Heaters
Direct Systems
 Pumps circulate water through the
collectors.
 Efficient and low operating cost.
 Not appropriate if water is hard or acidic
 Scale and corrosion - disables the system.
 Popular in regions - do not experience
subzero temperatures.
 Flat plate open-loop systems should never
be installed in climates that experience
sustained periods of subzero temperatures.
Indirect Systems
 Pumps heat-transfer fluids (glycol-water
antifreeze mixture) through the solar water
heater. Heat exchangers - transfers heat
to the water. Double-walled heat
exchangers - prevents contamination of
water.
 Popular - extended subzero temperature
areas because they offer good freeze
protection.
 Glycol antifreeze systems are more
expensive – must be checked each year -
changed every few years.
Thermosiphon Systems
 Natural Convection takes place.
 The tank must be located above the
absorber tubes/panel.
 As water in the absorber heats - becomes
lighter - rises into the tank above.
 Meanwhile cooler water in the tank flows
downwards into the absorber - circulation
throughout the system.
 Widely used - flat plate - evacuated tubes.
 Proper measures to be taken for having a
large tank on the roof.
Batch Heaters
 Simple - one or more storage tanks -
placed in an insulated box - glazed
side facing the sun.
 Inexpensive – performs well only in
summer when the weather is warm.
 Evacuated tubes - affordable and
efficient than the flat-plate collectors.
Active Systems vs Passive Systems
 Active Systems – Electrical Components,
Heat transfer fluids, More expensive, More
efficient, Easy installations.
 Passive Systems – No electrical
components, More reliable, Easier to
maintain, Last longer than active systems.
Less expensive, Less efficient due to slower
water flow rates through the system.
Which type of Solar
Water Heaters are
being used in our
campus and why???
Thermosiphon Systems
 No Electrical Components
requirements like pumps, valves etc.
 Less expensive.
 More reliable.
 Easy maintenance.
 Sufficient space to install storage
tanks above Solar Collectors, so
easier to install.
 Less efficient.
Pros
 Non polluting.
 Saves energy.
 Saves money.
Cons
 Depends on location.
 Unshaded south facing location is
necessary.
 Hard and Acidic water corrodes the
system.
 Not able to use Direct systems in
freezing temperature areas. Because
they run on electricity – will not
function during power outages.
Cons (cont…)
 Structure roof should be strong
enough to support the storage tanks.
 Special regulations on roof structure
and strength should be taken in
earthquake and hurricane danger
areas.
 Initial installation cost is very
expensive than conventional electric
or gas heaters.
Water Heating Loads
 The amount of energy needed to heat water is the
product of the volume of water, its density, its specific
heat, and the required temperature increase.

Qhw = V (ρc) (Tset – Tsource)

Qhw = energy requirement per day.

V = volume of water required per day.
ρ = density.
c = specific heat.
Tset = thermostat set point and desired delivery temp.
Tsource = temp of the inlet water.
Water Heating Loads (cont…)
 Here the amount of heat lost in water
heating system and recirculation system
should be taken in account.
 This heat loss consume 20 to 25 % of the
fuel used in a hot water installation over
the course of a year.
 The tank and piping loss - thermal
conductance of the insulation Uhw
multiplied by its surface area Ahw and by
the temperature difference the water and
the surroundings.
Water Heating Loads (cont…)
Qstandby = Uhw Ahw (Tset – Ta) Nh

Ta = ambient temperature.
Nh = number of hours of use per day,
usually 24.

 The total water heating demand is

expressed by the sum of two eq.
Solar Water Heater vs Standard
Water Heater.
SOLAR WATER HEATER
FREE energy from sun
Annual operating cost: $50
Storage Capacity: 80-120 gal
Life expectancy: 15-30 years
Lifetime operating cost: $1,000
Does NOT pollute environment
Increases equity in your home
25% return on your investment
Protection from future increases
BONUS: Hot water during blackout!
STANDARD WATER HEATER
COSTLY gas or electric
Annual operating cost: $500+
Storage Capacity: 40-50 gal
Life expectancy: 8-12 years
Lifetime operating cost: $10,000
Depletes fossil fuels
No added value to your home
No return on utility payments
At mercy of utilities/government
COLD showers, laundry, dishes?
Conclusion
 Solar Water Heating Techniques.
 Mechanism.
 Types.
 Specifications, Requirements.
 Pros and Cons.
Conclusion (cont…)
 Thermosiphon Water Heating
Systems are being used in our college
because of its high efficiency, less
expensive, no electrical power
requirement.
 Very much suitable for large
populated areas like hospitals,
prisons, hostels, hotels etc.
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