Evaluation and laboratory testing of solar domestic-hot-water control systems

Technical Report · Tue Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1983

OSTI ID:6265042

Farrington, R B; Myers, D

This report was to encourage solar domestic hot water (SDHW) control system manufacturers, designers, and researchers to improve the reliability and performance of SDHW systems. It contains an assessment and evaluation of solar domestic hot water (SDHW) control systems with respect to reliability and performance. A review of the literature and test results agree that serious problems still exist with current SDHW control systems. The literature review presents results gleaned from other sources; these and SERI's test results demonstrate the magnitude of SDHW control system problems. The tests revealed problems with sensor accuracy, sensor stagnation failures, controller accuracy, heat and humidity effects, long-term electronics, failure to meet specifications, poor instructions, and incorrect color-coding of wires. This work also identifies areas requiring further testing and evaluation. The report also presents a low-cost approach to detecting critical SDHW system failures (e.g., of pumps, valves, sensors and controllers, and piping, and failures due to critical heat transfer fluid losses). Further work is needed to build and test the system.

• Research Organization: Solar Energy Research Inst., Golden, CO (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-77CH00178
• OSTI ID: 6265042
• Report Number(s): SERI/TR-254-1805; ON: DE83010896
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140901* -- Solar Thermal Utilization-- Space Heating & Cooling
ACCURACY
APPLIANCES
CONTROL SYSTEMS
EQUIPMENT
EVALUATION
FAILURES
HEATERS
HUMIDITY
MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS
PERFORMANCE TESTING
PUMPS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOLAR WATER HEATERS
STAGNATION
TEMPERATURE EFFECTS
TESTING
WATER HEATERS