Heating and hot water use a lot of energy in every home. If you have a solar storage tank, you can have large amounts of water instantly and at any time. For example, you can use conventional energy sources, such as gas or fuel oil, with a solar thermal system. Thanks to this possibility, you have a greater scope for planning your new heating system or modernizing the old one.
These heating water and hot water storage tanks provide optimum thermal insulation, which helps to save power throughout heating and prevent heat loss during storage. With hot water always available, you enjoy maximum comfort, and your heating and hot water needs are fully covered. Some tanks are coated on the inside with anti-corrosion enamel, which guarantees compliance with the strictest hygiene standards for sanitary water quality.
The solar storage tank exist in several capacities, varying from 5 to 500 liters. In addition, the tank can be integrated into a cascade installation. The closed-circuit (envelope) where the thermal fluid circulates is independent and does not communicate with the storage tank.
The advantages of heating and hot water tanks
- Hot water always available for guaranteed comfort
- Efficient combination of different heat sources
- Requirements for your home
- Suitable location for installing the tank
- Compatible heating system
- Different types of tank
There are different types of solar storage tanks. A stratified tank is a quick, efficient, and economical solution for providing hot water. In this model, the hot water stratification occurs at different heights, depending on the temperature.
Principle of operation of Solar tank
Solar collectors convert solar radiation into heat using an absorber (a black body characterized by very high absorption properties and very low emissivity). The absorber transfers heat to a heat transfer fluid (usually glycol water) circulating through each of the collectors.
The circulators are activated when the temperature difference between the collector probe (T1) and the probe at the bottom of the tank (T2) exceeds a few degrees.
The heat transfer fluid, circulating in the primary circuit, then conveys solar energy from the collectors to the storage tank (s) through an exchange.
The storage tank (s) accumulates the heat produced.
If necessary, a backup energy source brings the preheated water to the desired temperature. This is then routed to the draw-off points via the distribution loop.
An electronic control device controls the system’s operation (circulators and backups) depending on the sunlight conditions and the demand for hot water.
The main components of an installation
A solar water heater always consists of four parts:
- The charging system
The charging system includes solar collectors, the primary or solar loop, and a heat exchanger.
- The storage system
This is usually one or better thermally insulated water tanks. Storage makes it possible to postpone the drawing-off demand at the moment of solar production.
- The backup system
During a good part of the year, additional heat is necessary to reach the minimum temperature of the sanitary loop (generally 60 ° C).
- The discharge system
This is the fraction of the installation that distributes the domestic hot water to the various draw-off points.
Closed (indirect) or open (direct) solar loop?
If the loop is closed, the fluid heats up in the solar collectors, and that which arrives at the draw-off points (showers, etc.) are distinct: the drinking water is indirectly heated through an exchanger by the heat transfer fluid from the solar circuit.
If the loop is said to be open, the water that circulates in the sensors is the same as that consumed at the draw-off points. This type of circuit is rarely used in Belgium, in particular, because of the problems associated with freezing. It is, therefore, more often found in hot countries, where sensors are the only means of heating. When the water flows, the energy is transformed from potential energy to kinetic energy in the tanks.
So Water storage tanks are low-cost alternatives for continuous water supply with a solar-powered irrigation system (SPIS). They are widely available, simple to use, and maintain, making them a superior design option to batteries. They also improve the SPIS’s dependability.
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