[Greenbuilding] Alternatives to Solarhart Thermosyphon Tanks

[Nick Pyner]

Damn right.

Indeed, it is fair to say that the Solarhart system is a triumph of
salesmanship over the laws of physics.

Solahart do have some patented hocus-pocus to promote horizontal
thermosyphon but they are really all about is a simple package that is fairy
easily retrofitted by spreading the tank load over several rafters.

Solarhart do make split systems but I believe they all use vertical tanks on
the ground and, somewhat ironically, I have never seen or heard of one of
their horizonal tanks in the roof.

Further to this, I think it is becoming apparent that a little bit of
thermosyphon is not necessarily better than none, and you don't see so many
horizontal tanks being installed these days. I understand they don't attract
as much rebate as tanks on the ground and, as plumbers now routinely work
with solar, their installation advantage isn't as attractive as it used to
be.

Nick Pyner

Dee Why   NSW

-----Original Message-----
From: greenbuilding-bounces at lists.bioenergylists.org
[mailto:greenbuilding-bounces at lists.bioenergylists.org]On Behalf Of
Frank Tettemer

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.