摘要:
A solar thermal collection cabinet is disclosed that includes a thermal mass comprising concrete mix and metallic pieces. The cabinet includes a corrugated metallic surface with a black finish that faces solar radiation. A plurality of metallic bolts attaches the black corrugated surface to the thermal mass, to enable good heat conduction to the thermal mass. Channels through the thermal mass enable heat transfer fluid to circulate through the thermal mass, the heat transfer fluid exchange heat for direct utilization, or to transfer heat to a thermal storage reservoir through suitable heat exchanger means. Alternatively, the thermal storage reservoir continuously receives and returns heat exchange fluid whereby over extended periods of time the system approaches a thermal steady state.
摘要:
A storage heater for storing heat and for heating a fluid, such as water, has an enclosure defining a chamber therein. The chamber has a lower portion and an upper portion with a heating element being disposed within the enclosure. A tube through which the fluid flows has an inlet and an outlet, both being disposed outside of the enclosure, and has a portion interconnecting the inlet and the outlet that passes through the enclosure. A densely packed bed of phase change material pellets is disposed within the enclosure and is surrounded by a viscous liquid, such as propylene glycol. The viscous liquid is in thermal communication with the heating element, the phase change material pellets, and the tube and transfers heat from the heating element to the pellets and from the pellets to the tube. The viscous fluid has a viscosity so that the frictional pressure drop of the fluid in contact with the phase change material pellets substantially reduces vertical thermal convection in the fluid. As the fluid flows through the tube heat is transferred from the viscous liquid to the fluid flowing through the tube, thereby heating the fluid.
摘要:
A heat accumulator is disposed in heat exchange relationship with a heating system. The accumulator includes a body of a material having a high heat capacity and a high melting point, such as iron or ceramic material. The accumulator is arranged for being heated by electrical energy during non-peak hours, or "night" energy, to a temperature much higher than the maximum temperature of the heating system. A conduit containing a fluid in a liquid phase is arranged for communication with the water system for setting the heat accumulator in heat exchange relation with the water system of the heating system. A pump is used on startup at high speed to expel water vapor from the accumulator quickly, with the pump having a reduced speed for ordinary operation following startup. The higher pump speed and low conduit volume in the heat accumulator prevents flashing of the water into water vapor during startup operation.
摘要:
An independent leg heater is disposed in a heat storage material to melt some of the material and provide an escape channel for the bulk of said material as it liquifies. Special heater circuitry provides for the regulation of heating periods for the independent leg heater (1) to apply heat automatically prior to activation of the main heating elements, (2) to stop the application of heat when the heat storage material is molten to prevent overheating in the upper region of the storage material surrounding the leg heater (3) to shut down the entire system if the leg heater fails to operate.