Solar Collector Components

In general, solar collector serves as an absorber of solar radiation energy which is then converted into thermal energy in the collector pipes. Solar collector consists of some components as follow:
a)      Transparent Cover
-         Transparent cover is one of solar collector components that serves to distribute the sunlight that falls to it, reduce convection and radiation losses to surrounding air and protect solar collector against dust and rain.
-         Transparent cover has properties as follow: translucent, high transmissibility, absorptivity and low reflexivity to short-wave radiation but high in reflect long wave radiation and high temperature resistant.
-         Glass can be selected as the material because it has properties of transmissibility as 0.8.

b)      Fin Collector
-         Fin collector is one of solar collector components that serves to enlarge the area of solar radiation absorber on the solar collector.
-         The properties of fin collector must fulfill following requirements: high conductivity and high absorptivity, and high temperature resistant.
-         Copper plate can be selected as the material because it has value of conductivity as 401 W/mK, and emissivity as 0.03.

c)      Pipe Collector
-          Pipe collector is one of solar collector components that serves as medium channel of heat transfer to water.
-          The properties of pipe collector can be equal with fin collector properties.

d)     House Collector
-          House collector is one of solar collector components that serves as the holder of all the components above as well as prevent the entry of water and dust.
-          The properties must lightweight and corrosion resistant.
-          Aluminum can be selected as the material of house collector because it apply the requirement properties above.

e)      Isolation
-          Pipe collector is one of solar collector components that serves to reduce heat losses to the environment through bottom and sides of solar collector.
-          The properties must have low conductivity.
-          Fiber can be selected  as the material of isolation.

No comments: