Low power, frost resistant, inexpensive solar hot water heater
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
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Solar project description for living systems single family residence, Davis, California
Inexpensive solar water heater you can build. Publication C-188