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Author
Thomas, W. C.
Title
Effects of Test Fluid Composition and Flow Rates on the Thermal Efficiency of Solar Collectors. Final Report.
Coporate
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg
Sponsor
National Bureau of Standards, Washington, DC Department of Energy, Washington, DC
Report
NBS GCR 80-254; VPI/SU-80-03
August 1980
Distribution
Available from National Technical Information Service
Keywords
thermal efficiency; heat transfer; antifreezes; mineral oils; flow rate | solar collectors
Identifiers
solar collectors; flat plate collectors
Abstract
Experimental and analytical investigations were carried out to determine the significance of the heat transfer fluid and mass flow rate on the thermal performance of two liquid-heating flat-plate solar collectors. The collector thermal performance was lowered significantly for high concentrations of glycol and mineral-base oil. Heat losses measured with oil were less than the losses measured from the ASHRAE prescribed procedures.