[Greenbuilding] Alternatives to Solarhart Thermosyphon Tanks

[Frank Tettemer]

Dan,
It seems the horizontal tank idea would be a great physical fit
into a elevated space, under a roof slope.  It doesn't take up much vertical space, which is usually good under a sloped roof. .
  
But isn't the shape of a fairly wide, and not-too-tall of a tank, going to be a challenging shape,
to use for thermosyphon systems?
I've never tried it, so I know little about that sort of shape. And I'm curious about how it works out.

I'm not a plumber, but I've built a few dozen DHW systems over the decades. These various experiences have used a vertical tank,
from 40" to 75" tall.
I'm not an engineer or a boiler technician, so the 'Ass'umption is all mine, that the height of the tank, as well as the height of the stack of coils in the heat exchanger partially accounted for the efficiency of the system.  In this case, more height would be a good thing.

My best successes in inducing a gravity flow system have all had more rise than run, in either heat source loops. Ten or more feet of vertical rise in the loop, with less than five feet of horizontal run, works just great for boiler loops, and the challenge then is in keeping the solar loop's horizontal runs fairly short, or, take on the task of running a circulation pump, to increase heat transfer. .

Viessman  makes a good tank;
it has two heat exchange coils, packed into the length of 70" by 25" diameter heavy duty stainless tank, mounted vertically.

The two coils are specifically designed to accommodate two sources of heat transfer:
a solar thermal heat source,
and a boiler heat source, such as a wood fired stove, or propane boiler.

Their tank is big; probably over three hundred pounds of metal, when dry.
I think it's an ideal tank for combined heat-source usage, where there is abundant firewood.

They have webspace , with photos and cross section drawings at:
http://www.viessmann-us.com/en/products/speicher-wassererwaermer/Vitocell-B_100.html

Hope that helps.

Frank

Living Sol ~ Building and Design
www.livingsol.com
613 756 3884

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Solahart make a gas-boosted sytem but I doubt that any manufacturer would
make a system with no boost. You can always leave the element disconnected.


Nick Pyner

Dee Why   NSW

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  Alternatives to Solarhart Thermosyphon Tanks


Does anyone know of any companies manufacturing solar thermosyphon tanks
similar to Solarhart tanks (elevated above panels and mounted horizontally)?
snip.  I'm looking for a closed loop tank that does not have the
electric heating element in it.

Thanks.

Dan Antonioli

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