[Greenbuilding] Alternatives to Solarhart Thermosyphon Tanks

[Nick Pyner]

Yes, it occurred to me later that, if there was a horizontal tank in the
roof, who would know? Nonetheless. I have had a look at their site and there
is no evidence of it being offered round here but I imagine it wouldn't be
hard to modify the standard package for that purpose, and that may indeed be
what they do in Europe.

I guess there wouldn't be too many cases where this would be practical,
which may explain why it doesn't get mentioned around here. In order to get
the internal tank higher than the collector, you would need a large roof, a
steep roof, or both. There could be all sorts of considerations around this,
not the least being local building regulations whereby the allowable
envelope is better used for housing people than water, and ultimately it
could be simpler, cheaper, and more efficient to use a tank on the ground
and a pump.

The Swiss development sounds a good move. It occurred to me years ago that
that having two tanks to ensure that there was always/usually a small supply
of very hot water could be the way to go in countries with foul weather. I
imagine it wouldn't be hard to do with pumped closed loop systems but, at
the time, I didn't think they were a good idea. Now, everybody's doing it.

Nick Pyner

Dee Why   NSW

-----Original Message-----
From: greenbuilding-bounces at lists.bioenergylists.org
[mailto:greenbuilding-bounces at lists.bioenergylists.org]On Behalf Of 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> somewhat ironically, I have never seen or heard of one of
NP> their horizonal tanks in the roof.