[Greenbuilding] Alternatives to Solarhart Thermosyphon Tanks

[John Daglish]

Bonjour Nick,

Solarhart does a thermosyphon version for the French/ European? market which has the
horizontal tank in the roof.

Their multi-channel steel thermosyphon absorber is as efficient as a copper
pipe and plate harp absorber but they have the patent (perhaps finished
now? ) on that design.

The Swiss have developped (initiated by SPF) a quite efficient
"compact" solar  domestic hot water heater system design for the european
climate. They can get up to 80% efficiency in the Suisse climate.
It is a variable flow pumped drainback system that maximises water
temperature. In conjunction with with a well designed statified tank
design a small high temperature quantity of water is maintained for
small uses avoiding the backup heater or electric coil coming on.


Cordialement

-- 
John DAGLISH,
Paris, France





Saturday, November 5, 2011, 12:59:19 AM, you wrote / vous ecrirez:

NP> Damn right.

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

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

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

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

NP> Nick Pyner

NP> Dee Why   NSW

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

NP> It seems the horizontal tank idea would be a great physical fit
NP> into a elevated space, under a roof slope.  It doesn't take up much vertical
NP> space, which is usually good under a sloped roof. .

NP> But isn't the shape of a fairly wide, and not-too-tall of a tank, going to
NP> be a challenging shape,
NP> to use for thermosyphon systems?
NP> I've never tried it, so I know little about that sort of shape. And I'm
NP> curious about how it works out.

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


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