High Performance Vacuum Flat Plate Solar Thermal Collectors for Hot Water and Process Heat
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Ulster
Department Name: Sch of Built Environment
Abstract
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Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
| Trevor Hyde (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Arya F
(2018)
Vacuum enclosures for solar thermal panels Part 1: Fabrication and hot-box testing
in Solar Energy
Arya F
(2021)
Fabrication analysis of flat vacuum enclosures for solar collectors sealed with Cerasolzer 217
in Solar Energy
Arya F
(2016)
Current Developments in Flat-Plate Vacuum Solar Thermal Collectors
in International Journal of Chemical, Molecular, Nuclear, Materials and Metallurgical Engineering
Arya F
(2018)
Vacuum enclosures for solar thermal panels Part 2: Transient testing with an uncooled absorber plate
in Solar Energy
Henshall P
(2016)
Experimental Measurements of Evacuated Enclosure Thermal Insulation Effectiveness for Vacuum Flat Plate Solar Thermal Collectors
in International Journal of Electrical, Computer, Energetic, Electronic and Communication Engineering
Henshall P
(2016)
Constant temperature induced stresses in evacuated enclosures for high performance flat plate solar thermal collectors
in Solar Energy
Henshall P
(2014)
An evacuated enclosure design for solar thermal energy applications
Moss R
(2018)
Design and commissioning of a virtual image solar simulator for testing thermal collectors
in Solar Energy
| Description | Through fabrication and characterisation it has been demonstrated evacuated flat plate solar collectors have the potential to produce / achieve high temperature water for process heat and used for a range of building applications. Edge seal design and enclosure cover support systems are critical constraints of system design and durability. Two methodologies using glass/glass and glass/metal enclosure covers have been developed which enable the production of flat plate absorber vacuum solar collectors suitable for building integration. Collectors have been fabricated and characterised under a solar simulator and guarded hotbox calorimeter. A detailed analysis of absorber design, heat transfer characteristics and stress anaylsis were performed both theoretically and experimentally. Key issues associated with achieving excellent long- term performance have been identified. |
| Exploitation Route | The vacuum flat plate solar collector systems require further research and development to improve long-term durability and to optimise performance for specific applications prior to having a system that can be commercialised. The compact thin nature of the prototypes will make them suitable for building facade integration. The aesthetical development of architecturally pleasing solutions is required particularly for key components such as the absorber design to enable wide market penetration and integration into landmark buildings. The high optical and thermal efficiency and high temperatures possible make vacuum flat plate solar collectors suitable for combining with solar cooling systems and potentially thermochemical heat storage systems. |
| Sectors | Construction Education Energy Manufacturing including Industrial Biotechology |
| Description | There has been commercial interest in the developed technology from a major European Company working in the area of vacuum science. The technology and techniques developed for vacuum sealing has informed the development of further research studies into vacuum insulation products. This has included research topics for PhD students and research grant applications for further funding. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2016 |
| Sector | Education,Energy |