Low power, frost resistant, inexpensive solar hot water heater

Technical Report · Mon Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1980

OSTI ID:5763272

Loth, J L

The object of the work reported was to maximize the thermal capacity of a solar collector and to use city water pressure to force the hot water from the collector to the inlet of the regular domestic hot water heater when water was being used in the house. The frost resistance feature was to be obtained by using an air-filled plastic tube inside the collector water passages so that when freezing the ice expansion would collapse the plastic tube rather than bursting the copper lines. The frost resistance feature was extensively tested during the winter of 1979-1980. Repeated thawing and freezing and thawing showed that the presence of the air-filled plastic tube delayed but did not prevent bursting. Thermal storage is effected by a mixture of cement and anthracite surrounding the copper water pipe. This proved too heavy and the performance was too dependent upon hot water use. A preheater and circulating pump were added. (LEW)

• Research Organization: Dynamic Flow, Inc., Morgantown, WV (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: FG43-79R306121
• OSTI ID: 5763272
• Report Number(s): DFI-TR-109080; ON: DE85010010
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140907* -- Solar Thermal Utilization-- Water Heating
APPLIANCES
DESIGN
ENERGY STORAGE
EQUIPMENT
FLAT PLATE COLLECTORS
FREEZE PROTECTION
HEAT STORAGE
HEATERS
MODIFICATIONS
SENSIBLE HEAT STORAGE
SOLAR COLLECTORS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOLAR WATER HEATERS
STORAGE
TESTING
WATER HEATERS