FireDOC Search

Author
Fanney, A. H. | Thomas, W. C. | Scarbrough, C. A. | Terlizzi, C. P.
Title
Analytical and Experimental Analysis of Procedures for Testing Solar Domestic Hot Water Systems. Final Report.
Coporate
National Bureau of Standards, Washington, DC Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State Univ., Blacksburg, VA
Sponsor
Department of Energy, Washington, DC
Report
NBS BSS 140; DOE/NBM-3008145, February 1982, 161 p.
Distribution
Available from National Technical Information Service
Keywords
potable water; performance tests; performance evaluation; methodology | solar collectors
Identifiers
solar water heaters; solar water heating
Abstract
A repeatable test method independent of outdoor environmental conditions and laboratory geographical location is required in order to provide a means by which solar domestic hot water systems may be rated and compared. Three experimental techniques which allow the net thermal output of an irradiated solar collector array to be reproduced indoors without the use of a solar simulator are investigated. These techniques include use of an electric heat source only, use of a nonirradiated collector array in series with an electric heat source, and the use of electric strip heaters which are attached to the back of nonirradiated absorber plates. Expressions are developed to compute the input power required for each experimental technique. Solar collectors connected in parallel and series combinations are considered.