SOLAR THERMAL

APPLICATIONS
SOLAR THERMAL APPLICATIONS
Water Heating
Space Heating
Space Cooling & Refrigeration
Distillation
Drying
Cooking and
Power Generation
Solar Water Heating Systems

Most attractive solar thermal application from an economic
standpoint.

Most of the systems use flat plate collectors.

The hot water is used for domestic purposes or for meeting
the needs of the industries and commercial establishments.

Can be classified into two categories:
a) Natural circulation (Thermosyphon) systems
b) Forced circulation systems
Natural Circulation System
(Thermosyphon)
Main Components Liquid Flat plate collector and Storage tank.
Tank is located above the level of the collector.
As water is heated by solar energy, it flows automatically to the top
of the tank and it is replaced by cold water from the bottom of the
tank.
Hot water for use is withdrawn from the top of the tank.

Forced Circulation System
When a large amount of hot water is required, forced
circulation system is used.
Large arrays of FPCs are used. The restriction to use the
storage tank at higher levels are removed.
Water from the storage tank is pumped through the collector
array, where it is heated and then flow back into the storage
tank.
Ball float control valve
On Off controller Senses the temperature difference
between the tank and water at exit and operate the pump.
Provision for Auxiliary Heater
Well suited for offices, industries, hospitals. hotels., etc.
Forced Circulation Open loop
system
Water flows from the cold water tank thro the collectors
to an insulated hot water tank from where it is withdrawn
for use.
The control system adjusts the flow rate to meet the temp.
requirement.
TEI Patra: 3-18
July 2006
Intensive program: ICT tools in PV-
systems Engineering
Force circulation system-1
TEI Patra: 3-18
July 2006
Intensive program: ICT tools in PV-
systems Engineering
Force circulation system-2
Large solar water heating
system
SPACE HEATING

Water System
Air System
Passive Method
Space Heating Water system
It is of particular relevance to in colder countries where a significant energy is
required for this purpose.
In India, northern region in winter.
Heated in solar collector (A) and stored in storage tank (B).
Energy is transferred to the air circulating in the house by means of water-to-
air heat exchanger (E).
Two pumps (C ) provide forced circulation between collectors and the tank &
tank and the heat Exchanger.
Space Heating using Solar Air Heaters
Heat air directly in the collectors.
Heat is then stored in the tank packed with rock, gravel or
pebbles.
Space Heating (Passive Method)
Thermal energy flow by natural means.
The south facing wall of the house is double glazed.
Behind, it is a black concrete wall, which absorbs the suns
radiation and serves as a thermal storage.
Solar Cooling and
Refrigeration
Solar Refrigeration
Solar cooling can be considered for two related processes:
to provide refrigeration for food and medicine preservation and
to provide comfort cooling.

Absorption systems are similar to vapour-compression air
conditioning systems but differ in the pressurisation stage.

The most usual combinations of fluids include lithium
bromide-water (LiBr-H
2
O) where water vapour is the
refrigerant and ammonia-water (NH
3
-H
2
O) systems where
ammonia is the refrigerant.
Space Cooling and Refrigeration

Absorption systems
The pressurisation is achieved by dissolving the refrigerant
in the absorbent, in the absorber section.

Subsequently, the solution is pumped to a high pressure
with an ordinary liquid pump.

The addition of heat in the generator is used to separate the
low-boiling refrigerant from the solution.
In this way the refrigerant vapour is compressed
without the need of large amounts of mechanical
energy that the vapour-compression air conditioning
systems demand.
Solar Distillation
Solar Distillation
Conventional basin type still is used.
Consists of shallow air tight basin lined with a black, impervious
material which contains saline water.
A sloping transparent cover is provided at the top.
Solar radiation heats up the water and causes it to evaporate.
Resulting vapour rises, condenses as pure water and flows into
condensate channel on the sides.
SOLAR DRYING
Natural Circulation Dryer
Forced Circulation Dryer

Solar Drying (natural circulation)
Used for drying of agricultural products.
Removes moisture and helps in preservation of the products.
Cabinet type air dryer 50 to 80
o
C 2 to 4 days dates,
chillies, grapes, apricots, etc.
Forced Circulation Dryer
used for large scale drying like timbers.
Solar Cooking