Ch 5.

SOLAR THERMAL ENERGY

CONVERSION SYSTEMS
SOLAR WATER HEATING
SOLAR DISTILLATION
SOLAT THERMAL POWER PLANT
Low Temperature Solar Power Plant
Medium Temperature Solar Power Plant
High Temperature Solar Power Plant
CENTRAL RECEIVER POWER PLANT
SOLAR PONDS
SOLAR PUMPING
SOLAR AIR HEATERS
SOLAR FURNACE
SOLAR COOKERS
SOLAR PASSIVE TECHNIQUES

SOLAR WATER HEATING

(Thermosiphon System)

Flat plate collector with

transport glass
Bottom of the tank at least
0.3m top of the collector
Circulation occurs through
natural convection or
thermo siphoning
Heated water with low
density rises and flows into
the top of the storage
tank. The higher density
cold water tends to sink
and flows lower heater of
flat plate
The density difference
provides driving effect

SOLAR DISTILLATION
Converting saline water into
distilled water in solar still.
Blackened basis containing
saline water on which a
transparent glass covers.
Solar radiation passes through
cover and energy is absorbed
by blackened surface.
Water is heated and vapor
produced is condensed to
purified water on cooler interior
of roof.
Condensed water is flowing
down the sloping roof and is
collected.
Efficiency =W (h2-h1)/H
where W = weight of
distillated water per m2 per day
h2 - h1 enthalpy change from
vapor to water and H = solar
intensity.
15-20 liters per day per 10 m2

SOLAR
PUMPING:
Utilization of power
generated by solar energy
for water pumping, useful
for irrigation
It consists of:
Solar collector- there are
two kinds Flat plate and
concentrator collector
Heat transport system
Boiler or heat exchanger
Heat engine- there are
two- Rotary piston engine
and Reciprocating engine.
Condenser
Pump Reciprocating and
Rotary pump

Solar Air Heaters

SOLAR FURNACE

Getting high temperature by

concentrating solar radiation
onto a specimen .
Heliostat: optically flat ,
polished flat plate
Spherical reflecting
collectors: highly polished
aluminum or silver coated
surface.
It produces 2800 0c or
maximum heat flux:16000
Kw/m2
Advantages
Heating is carried out without
any contamination
Temp can be controlled by
changing the position of
material in focus
Gives extremely high temp
Provides rapid heating
Limitations
It is limited to sunny days (45hrs)
High cost

Solar Cooker

SPACE PASSIVE HEATING

PASSIVE HEATING SYSYTEMS
Direct gain
(Indirect Gain)Thermal storage wall

Solar radiation is collected by some elements of

structure or admitted directly into building through
large south facing windows.
Which operates without pumps, blowers or any other
mechanical devices
Air is circulated past a solar heated surface and
through the building by convection.

THERMAL STORAGE WALL

A large wall which
absorbs solar radiation
and stores heat which
is placed behind south
facing windows
The air is heated
between glass cover
and wall. The heated
air rises and enters the
adjacent room through
vents at the top of the
wall and air circulates
by natural convection

BASIC HOT WATER SYSTEM

Flat plate collector located on the roof of

the building
Heat is transmitted to water in the
storage tank
When the temperature falls below, the
water will pass through auxiliary heater
During normal operation through air
heat exchanger, air is heated and passes
through 3 way valve then to the
distribution system.
During cloudy days, air passes through
the auxiliary heater then to the
distribution system
Advantages:
No temperature drop during transfer of
energy
Requires relatively smaller storage
volume
It can be used in absorption air
conditioner
Disadvantages:
Water heater may operate at excessive
high temperature, care must be taken to
avoid boiling and pressure build up
Care must be taken to avoid corrosion
problems

BASIC HOT AIR SYSYTEM

Advantages:
No freezing problem
Minimum corrosion
problem
Since working fluid is air,
warm air heating system
is in common
Disadvantages:
Relatively higher power
cost for pumping air
through storage medium
Large storage volume

Air Distribution

Electric Power Generation

Using Thermal Storage