The elimination of the reverse circulation in thermosiphon solar water heaters

Journal Article · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1991 · Solar Energy (Journal of Solar Energy Science and Engineering); (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0038-092X(91)90068-8· OSTI ID:5850610

Prapas, D E; Sotiropoulos, B A ^[1]

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1. Aristotle Univ. of Thessaloniki (Greece)

Thermosiphon solar water heaters (TSWH), employing either closed or open collector loops, are widely used today to cover a substantial part of the hot water needs, mostly in residential small scale applications. Their cost is lower in comparison to pumped systems, because no pumps, controls etc. are required. However, the storage tank has to be mounted above the collector in order to promote the thermosiphon flow; this could be a serious drawback in some applications. An undesirable characteristic of TSWH is the reverse circulation (RC) of the working liquid when the temperature of the collector is lower than that of the storage tank. The causes of reverse circulation in thermosyphon solar water heaters, the geometry of the systems, and the affects of nocturnal radiative cooling of the collector are discussed. A means of interconnecting collector and tank to drastically reduce reverse circulation is presented.

• OSTI ID: 5850610
• Journal Information: Solar Energy (Journal of Solar Energy Science and Engineering); (USA), Vol. 46:4; ISSN 0038-092X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
SOLAR WATER HEATERS
THERMOSYPHON EFFECT
CLOSED-CYCLE SYSTEMS
CONTROL
FLAT PLATE COLLECTORS
GEOMETRY
OPEN-CYCLE SYSTEMS
RADIATIVE COOLING
SOLAR WATER HEATING
TANKS
THERMOSYPHONS
APPLIANCES
CONTAINERS
CONVECTION
COOLING
ENERGY TRANSFER
EQUIPMENT
HEAT TRANSFER
HEATERS
HEATING
MASS TRANSFER
MATHEMATICS
SOLAR COLLECTORS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOLAR HEATING
WATER HEATERS
WATER HEATING
140907* - Solar Thermal Utilization- Water Heating