Integrated Solar Collector Tank Layout for Lower Heat Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional solar collectors with integrated storage tanks face issues such as external tank aesthetics, installation complexity, limited installation surfaces, poor aesthetic impact, reverse circulation, and high heat loss, particularly in direct radiation systems without insulation, leading to ice formation risks.
Innovation Solution
A compact solar collector design integrating the storage and expansion tank within the collector, featuring a containment box-like structure with a thermally connected primary and secondary fluid circuit, a heat exchanger, and insulating layers, allowing countercurrent circulation and using phase-change materials to enhance heat retention and reduce ice formation risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the storage tank is integrated within the solar collector, then the aesthetic impact is improved and installation complexity is reduced, but the internal space is limited and component arrangement becomes constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nesting by placing the heat exchanger inside the storage tank, and positioning the absorber above the tank within the same collector structure. This nested arrangement allows multiple functional components to occupy overlapping spatial volumes, maximizing the use of limited internal space while maintaining all necessary functions in an integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes vertical dimensionality by arranging components in different height levels: the absorber is positioned at the top surface, the storage tank occupies the middle volume, and the heat exchanger is nested within the tank. This vertical stacking approach efficiently uses the third dimension to accommodate all components within the constrained horizontal footprint of the collector.
2Volume of moving object
If the storage tank is hidden at the back of the collector, then compactness is improved, but reverse circulation occurs during night causing heat loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the storage tank and heat exchanger into a single integrated unit where the heat exchanger is positioned inside the tank. This combination eliminates the need for separate external tank mounting, achieving compactness while the integrated design allows for better thermal management and prevention of reverse circulation through proper fluid flow path design.
3Device complexity
If direct radiation collectors are used without insulation, then structure is simplified, but heat loss increases and ice formation risk occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing insulation specifically at critical locations where heat loss would be most significant, such as around the storage tank and heat exchanger components, rather than insulating the entire collector structure uniformly. This targeted approach maintains structural simplicity while effectively reducing heat loss at problem areas.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a compact, aesthetically pleasing, and efficient solar collector system that can be installed on various surfaces, including sloping roofs, with reduced heat loss and ice formation risks, achieving higher thermal efficiency and easier installation by utilizing natural circulation and integrated insulation.
Implementation Method 1
an upper absorber for exposure to solar radiation
Implementation Method 2
an upper absorber for exposure to solar radiation, arranged below said at least partially transparent surface
Implementation Method 3
a primary circuit for accumulation and circulation of a primary thermovector fluid
Implementation Method 4
at least a heat exchanger between said primary thermovector fluid and said secondary fluid
Implementation Method 5
said primary thermovector fluid and said secondary fluid circulate in countercurrent in said heat exchanger
Implementation Method 6
at least one layer of insulating material being provided in such a way that, during use, when said primary thermovector fluid flows in said primary circuit
Implementation Method 7
using phase-change materials to enhance heat retention and reduce ice formation risks
Implementation Method 8
using phase-change materials to enhance heat retention
Implementation Method 9
a primary circuit for accumulation and circulation of a primary thermovector fluid
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a solar collector (100) comprising a containment box-like structure (1), having a lower face, four perimeter faces and an upper face closed by an at least partially transparent surface (12), inside said box-like structure (1) being housed: an upper absorber (13) for exposure to solar radiation, arranged below said at least partially transparent surface (12), a primary circuit (21) for accumulation and circulation of a primary thermovector fluid, at least a secondary conduit (22) of accumulation and circulation of a secondary fluid, and at least a heat exchanger (8) between said primary thermovector fluid and said secondary fluid, said at least a secondary conduit (22) comprising at least one inlet opening (23) and at least an outlet opening (24) of said secondary fluid which are accessible externally to said box-like containment structure (1), said primary circuit (21) comprising at least a first portion (5, 6, 7), thermally connected to said upper absorber (13) and provided in its lower part, and at least a second portion (9, 16, 17) thermally connected to said at least a secondary conduit (22) in correspondence of said heat exchanger (8), said at least a second portion (9, 16, 17) and said at least a secondary conduit (22) being provided below said at least one first portion (5, 6, 7) and between said at least a first portion (5, 6, 7) of said primary circuit (21) and said at least a secondary conduit (22), at least one layer of insulating material (14) being provided in such a way that, during use, when said primary thermovector fluid flows in said primary circuit (21), said primary thermovector fluid and said secondary fluid circulate in countercurrent in said heat exchanger (8), said at least a secondary conduit (22) being configured so as to present at least a portion, having predominantly linear sections (2) and union portions (3, 4, 3', 4') between said sections predominantly linear (2), said at least a second portion (9, 16, 17) of said primary circuit (21) being configured in such a way to form a coil duct at least partially inserted in said at least a secondary conduit (22), so as to be in direct thermal contact with said secondary fluid, and in such a way to comprise a plurality of pairs of predominantly straight sections (9) connected in series by means of first (16) and second (17) unions in such a way to form said coil duct and in that said first unions (16) are external to said secondary conduit (22) and in that said second unions (17) are disposed inside said at least a secondary conduit (22).