Development of a low-cost non-tracking heat pipe concentrating collector
A solar water heater which uses a multi-heat-pipe energy absorber is proposed. In the absorber configuration, wickless heat pipes (which rely on only gravity) and a puddle-flow mechanism are used. In order to design an energy absorber with sufficient heat-transfer capability, the performance of a puddle-flow gravity-assisted heat pipe had to be theoretically investigated. Three low-temperature heat-pipe working fluids were considered in this analysis and the maximum heat-transport capability of methanol, water, and Freon-11 heat pipes was investigated. The relationship between various heat-pipe parameters and axial heat-transport capability is discussed. To determine the performance of a solar water heater which uses a multi-heat-pipe energy absorber, a theoretical model is developed and experimentally validated. The collection efficiency is found to vary markedly with the number of energy-absorber heat pipes, coating emittance, and the ambient-weather cycle.
- OSTI ID:
- 5844514
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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