- Author
- Fanney, A. H.
- Title
- Experimental Technique for Testing Thermosyphon Solar Hot Water Systems.
- Coporate
- National Bureau of Standards, Gaithersburg, MD Department of Energy, Washington, DC
- Journal
- Journal of Solar Energy Engineering, Vol. 106, No. 4, 457-464, 1984
- Keywords
- performance tests; evaluation; ratings; reprints | solar collectors
- Identifiers
- solar water heating; thermosyphon effect; solar collectors
- Abstract
- An experimental technique for testing thermosyphon solar hot water systems is described which allows testing of the system indoors under nonirradiated conditions. The technique described is applicable to thermosyphon systems which utilize flat-plate solar collectors. Energy normally absorbed by the irradiated solar collectors is supplied by electric strip heaters attached to the back side of the absorber plates. Analytical expressions are developed which allow the power input to the strip heaters to be calculated for various environmental conditions. A description of the experimental apparatus and test procedure is given. Results are presented which show that the performance of a thermosyphon system tested indoors using the electric strip heater technique closely duplicates system performance under outdoor irradiated conditions.