Renewable Energy

Solar Energy

LECTURE No. 4

By Amir Haider, Lecturer

Electrical Engineering Department
NFC-IEFR
Faisalabad
 Solar Water Heating Heat Transfer Fluids
In addition to the specific heat capacity, there are other features of fluids
which make them suitable or unsuitable as transfer fluids.
A low coefficient of expansion is important since you do not want the volume
of the fluid to increase much when it is heated.
Low viscosity is better than high viscosity since a low viscosity fluids are
easier to pump around the system.
The freezing point is important in cold climates since if the fluid freezes in the
winter it can cause serious damage to the system.
The boiling point should ideally be high since if the fluid boils it generates
high pressure steam.
The flash point should ideally be very high so that the fluid does not become
flammable at operating temperatures.
Fluid needs to be stable so that it does not need to be drained and replaced
regularly.
If there is any chance of the fluid
coming into direct contact with potable
water, it must have very low toxicity.