A concentrating collector system for domestic hot water

Journal Article · Sun Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1979 · Southwest Bull., N.M. Sol. Energy Assoc.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5496070

Stromberg, R P

An inexpensive parabolic solar collector system for heating domestic hot water produces about 60 gal of 110-120/sup 0/F water most of the year and 30-40 gal in mid-winter. The collector, having an effective trough area of 55 ft/sup 2/, was constructed from a ribbed, waterproof plywood frame covered with black painted cold rolled sheet metal and an aluminized acrylic film as a reflective surface. Preliminary experiments with the trough indicated that sheet aluminum and 1-inch marine plywood rather than .75-inch waterproof would be more suitable. The solar tracking sensor is composed of two flat black painted bimetallic elements cantilevered and counterweighted in a glass box, temperature differences in the elements activate a relay to the drive motor which is a d.c. auto power window motor with an output speed of 70 rpm. The motor for driving the concentrating collectors operates less than one-fiftieth of the time, averaging a power usage of less than a watt. The control system includes a timer, temperature sensors, a circulating pump and a pump control, and two safety circuits. A comparison of this system with a flat plate collector system indicated higher operating efficiency in the winter for the parabolic collector system. The system cost about $512.

• OSTI ID: 5496070
• Journal Information: Southwest Bull., N.M. Sol. Energy Assoc.; (United States), Journal Name: Southwest Bull., N.M. Sol. Energy Assoc.; (United States) Vol. 4:3; ISSN SNMAD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140907* -- Solar Thermal Utilization-- Water Heating
141000 -- Solar Collectors & Concentrators
APPLIANCES
CONCENTRATING COLLECTORS
CONTROL SYSTEMS
DESIGN
EQUIPMENT
GAS APPLIANCES
HEATERS
MONITORING
PARABOLIC COLLECTORS
PARABOLIC REFLECTORS
SOLAR COLLECTORS
SOLAR CONCENTRATORS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOLAR REFLECTORS
SOLAR TRACKING
SOLAR WATER HEATERS
TEMPERATURE MONITORING
WATER HEATERS