Ceramic materials for solar collectors. Final report
The purpose of this project was to identify ceramic materials which exhibit solar absorption properties which are appropriate for flat plate solar collectors. To accomplish this, various glaze formulations and clay combinations were produced and evaluated for their potential as solar absorbers. For purposes of comparison a black coated copper sheet was also tested concurrently with the ceramic materials. Thirty-five different coatings were prepared on fifty-six tiles. Two different clays, a porcelain and a stoneware clay, were used to make the tiles. From the tiles prepared, thirty of the most promising coatings were chosen for evaluation. The test apparatus consisted of a wooden frame which enclosed four mini-collectors. Each mini-collector was a rectangular ceramic heat exchanger on which a test tile could be mounted. The working fluid, water, was circulated into the collector, passed under the test tile where it gained heat, and then was discharged out of the collector. Thermometers were installed in the inlet and discharge areas to indicate the temperature increase of the water. The quantity of heat absorbed was determined by measuring the water flow (pounds per minute) and multiplying it by the temperature increase (/sup 0/F). The control sample, a copper wheet painted flat black, provided a base by which to compare the performance of the test tiles installed in the other three mini-collectors. Testing was conducted on various days during August and September, 1982. The test results indicate that coatings with very satisfactory solar absorbing properties can be made with ceramic materials. The results suggest that an economically viable ceramic solar collector could be constructed if engineered to minimize the effects of relatively low thermal conductivity of clay.
- Research Organization:
- Ankeny (Alan E.), Philadelphia, PA (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- FG43-81R308088
- OSTI ID:
- 5788475
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/R3/08088-T1; ON: DE85009251
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
SOLAR ABSORBERS
CERAMICS
PERFORMANCE TESTING
ANTIREFLECTION COATINGS
DATA ANALYSIS
FLAT PLATE COLLECTORS
HEAT TRANSFER
THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY
THERMOMETERS
COATINGS
ENERGY TRANSFER
EQUIPMENT
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
SOLAR COLLECTORS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
TESTING
THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES
141000* - Solar Collectors & Concentrators