Principles Of Solar Thermal Energy

A lighting unit simulates natural solar radiation and allows a range of experiments to be carried out in the laboratory. The light is converted into heat in an absorber and transferred to a heat transfer fluid. Solar thermal systems convert solar energy into usable thermal energy. It allows you to demonstrate solar thermal heating of domestic water in an illustrative manner. The heat is released to the water by an integrated heat exchanger in the tank. A pump conveys the heat transfer fluid through a hot water tank.

Learning Objectives/Experiments:
Design and operation of a simple solar thermal system
Influence of illuminance, angle of incidence and flow rate
Influence of various absorbing surfaces
Determining efficiency curves
Determining the net power
Energy balance on the solar collector.

Functional demonstration model of a solar thermal system
2 replaceable absorbers with different coating
Solar circuit with pump and variable flow
Lighting unit with 25 halogen bulbs
Sensors detect temperature and illuminance
Spacing and tilt adjustable collector
Hot water tank with tube coil as heat exchanger and electrical auxiliary heater.