When it comes to solar collectors, first of all, associations arise with the already familiar flat or vacuum models. The energy of the sun is transferred to them through water or antifreeze, in other words, a liquid coolant. Such liquid collectors have already appeared in many homes and have ceased to cause any surprise. But besides liquid collectors, there is another type of collectors, which is much less common, although in some situations it is no less effective. This is an airborne solar collector.
Features and Application
Its main difference from liquid options is the coolant, the role of which is played by ordinary atmospheric air. In essence, such a collector is a flat ribbed panel (often perforated) or a pipe system made of heat-conducting metal (however, plastic is sometimes used). In such a collector, the air is heated due to direct contact with the metal, and ribbing is necessary to increase heat transfer. The entire system must be reliably thermally insulated. The air collector is placed on the southern wall of the house, and air circulation can be either natural, convective, or forced (using fans).
It operates at much lower temperatures than liquid models. Thus, in conventional solar systems, the temperature on the collectors should be more than 45-50°C; for air systems, 25-30°C is sufficient. As a result, heat loss is reduced and overall efficiency is increased. However, since the thermal conductivity of air is quite low, such a collector is used very limitedly.
It is used mainly in dehumidification plants (in agriculture), in air heating systems and in indoor air recovery complexes. That is, such systems cannot be considered as a full-fledged alternative to liquid collectors, but they may well reduce overall utility costs.
Advantages and disadvantages
Like any system, airborne solar collectors have their advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages of air collectors:
- Simplicity of design;
- Minimum cost;
- Efficiency in air drying systems.
Their disadvantages include their rather low efficiency, the inability to use them for heating water, and the rather significant dimensions of the collectors themselves (due to the low specific heat capacity and low air density).
To increase the efficiency of such systems, they are often integrated into the walls of agricultural buildings at the design stage
DIY making
Since the solar air collector has a very simple design, making it yourself is not that difficult. For this, the most commonly available materials and available means are used (some even make such collectors from aluminum cans). However, we must remember that such systems are very large due to the characteristics of the air coolant, so to obtain a noticeable effect you will need to assemble products of considerable size (often the entire length of the wall).
Drain pipe collector
It is better to make such a solar heater on the entire wall of the house. In the spring-autumn period, it will help to significantly save on energy resources. Taking into account the dimensions of the device, materials are also selected.
For the frame:
- Board about 30-40 mm thick;
- Moisture-resistant plywood (for the back wall) about 8-10 mm thick.
For absorber:
- Drainpipes made of aluminum (preferably rectangular);
- Thin sheet of aluminum;
- Mounting clamps.
You will also need mineral wool to insulate the rear wall of the housing and polystyrene foam to insulate the side surfaces.
Such a solar collector is assembled as follows. First of all, a wooden case of given dimensions is made (in the form of an open box), the depth of which is a couple of centimeters greater than the height of the pipe walls. Then the back wall and side surfaces are reliably insulated, and a thin sheet of aluminum is laid on a layer of mineral wool, to which the pipes are attached with mounting clamps. For better fixation and to ensure air circulation, the pipes must be laid so that on one side of the body they are spaced approximately 20 cm from the end. The edges of the pipes must be secured not with clamps, but with a wooden partition in which the appropriate cutouts will be made.
Since the inlet and outlet of this collector will be located on one side, there should be several wooden partitions in the housing at the opposite end to separate the air flows. After assembly, the collector is painted with black paint, and cellular polycarbonate can be used as the front panel.
It is worth remembering that the finished product is very heavy, so several people will be required to install it. It is located on the south side of the house on stable supports. The collector is connected to the ventilation system of the house through insulated air ducts, and a duct fan is used to deliver air to the rooms.
This is a simpler version of the air manifold. You can do it yourself much faster. In the same way, a wooden box of the required dimensions is made, then a beam of approximately 40x40 mm is laid along the perimeter of the rear wall, and a layer of mineral wool is laid on the bottom. The only thing is that you need to make an outlet hole in the bottom. Then a sheet of corrugated board with a high rib profile is laid on the beam and painted with black paint (if the sheet itself is a different color). Next, perforations are made in the corrugated sheet for air flow.
The entire structure can also be glazed with polycarbonate to increase the heating temperature of the absorber, but it is necessary to provide an inlet for the intake of cold air. A small fan should be placed at the outlet.
Such a homemade collector gives a less significant increase in temperature (usually on a sunny day the heating is about 28°C relative to the outside air). However, it can significantly improve the indoor microclimate, as it provides a constant flow of fresh heated air.
Everyone loves to bask in the sun in summer. But few people know that in winter the sun can warm just as well. To do this, you just need to correctly use the energy of the sun. And modern technologies make it possible to do this.
Airborne solar collector- the best assistant in this matter. It warms the air passing through it, while working completely autonomously. And most importantly, it does not care about the thermometer readings; it is effective even in cold weather, creating comfortable conditions in the room.
Operating principle of the solar collector
A light-sensitive element with photoelectric properties starts a fan that draws in air from the street. Along the way, the air passes through the filter, due to which it is warmed and cleaned. As a result, the room is always dry and warm.
The air manifold allows:
maintain optimal indoor humidity;
get rid of fungus and mold on walls, floors and ceilings;
maintain a comfortable room temperature;
saturate the room with fresh air, and therefore oxygen.
A small panel allows you to maintain a comfortable microclimate in large rooms. Therefore, it is very beneficial to use an air solar collector for heating a house. This significantly saves money on paying bills for centralized electricity supply.
Advantages of ventilation and heating using solar energy:
This system works completely autonomously. The fan is turned on by electricity generated by the sun, air circulation occurs without the participation of additional devices.
Solar energy is free, environmentally friendly and accessible to absolutely everyone.
Heating costs are reduced, and in some cases this even allows you to switch off from central heating altogether. After the system pays for itself (about 3-4 years), it begins to work for free, without wasting any resources except solar radiation.
Anyone can buy an air solar collector; it does not require serious financial costs.
To maintain a comfortable atmosphere in a single-family house, one small panel installed on the south wall of the building is enough.
This method of using solar energy has been actively used in Europe for decades. The most advanced countries in the field of solar energy (Germany, France) use air collectors on an industrial scale: to maintain the required air humidity in warehouses with products and in workshops, for ventilation of premises; farmers use technology to create an optimal climate in barns and granaries.
The most popular areas for using air collectors in Russia are:
ventilation and heating of private houses;
ventilation of baths and bathhouses;
maintaining the required humidity in winter gardens and greenhouses.
Now on the Russian market there is a large selection of air collectors from domestic and foreign manufacturers. A wide range of models allows you to choose the system that best meets the individual requirements of each buyer, which will work effectively in his conditions.
If you have additional questions about solar heating and hot water supply, please contact the curator of the “collectors, heat pumps” direction, Vladimir: mobile phone: soldatov9
Solar collectors, unlike solar batteries, do not accumulate the energy of the sun, but immediately use it for insulation. They are made not only in factories, but also with your own hands, from a variety of materials, for example, from beer cans.
Airborne solar collector installed on the southern facade of the house
An air solar collector is one of the simplest devices. His work is based on principles familiar to all of us from childhood.
Greenhouse effect. The sun's rays can freely penetrate through transparent coatings, be it glass, polycarbonate or something else. But the heat they brought cannot escape from the enclosed space. This is why greenhouses are built. Warm air is lighter. Heated air always rises, and cold air sinks to the floor. It is for this reason that heaters are placed at the bottom.
These are the two main principles on which the operation of an airborne solar collector for a home is organized.
What it is?
The air collector heats the air for heating using the energy of the sun's rays. This is usually a simple design using a flat absorber. Air collectors are used to heat rooms or dry food even in Siberia.
An air solar collector for a home consists of an absorbing panel, tubes through which air will circulate, and a fan responsible for the movement of air masses. Of course, all this needs to be attached to the room that needs heating.
You can also use pipes to make a system for heating the entire house, if the collector is powerful enough.
The absorption panel consists of an absorber, a transparent protective coating (for example, polycarbonate) and thermal insulation. All this is placed in a box, the back and side walls of which are covered with a thick layer of thermal insulation. This is necessary to retain heat for heating.
Then the absorber sheet is placed. It is typically made from copper or aluminum and coated with a selective coating that helps harvest more energy. For an absorbent fabric, the main thing is the thermal conductivity of the structure.
A transparent coating is placed on top, which should protect the absorber from weather conditions and various impacts. Of course, the best option would be a double-glazed window. There are many cheaper options, but a double-glazed window will provide maximum efficiency, which will make heating possible even in Siberia.
Although the benefits of polycarbonate cannot be denied. Many people choose polycarbonate coatings. It costs less, but is not much inferior to the best options.
Air can move through the absorber due to natural circulation (warm up, cold down).
But sometimes in such cases the air moves too slowly and most of the accumulated heat goes into the atmosphere instead of heating the house, then you can add several pipes.
This is not economical, so in such cases a fan is connected to the system, possibly using pipes. It moves air much faster and all the resulting energy is transferred to the heating system. But in this case, additional costs are required - fans consume electricity. Typically, such solar collectors are simply built into the roofs or walls of buildings, which increases their efficiency (efficiency factor).
But we must not forget that air conducts heat much worse than liquid. Therefore, the efficiency of the air collector will be much lower than that of the flat heating option. The air is best directed between the absorber plate and the thermal insulation, without pipes. A transparent protective coating placed in front causes large heat losses. True, this does not apply to polycarbonate. But if you do not need to heat the air for heating by more than 17 degrees (compared to the environment), then you can circulate it on both sides of the canvas. But if the environment is too cold, such as in Siberia, the result will be worse. If the air manifold is of good quality, it can last up to 20 years.
Types of air collectors
The type of air solar collector depends on where the air comes from. If it enters the room from the outside, and is heated along the way, then this is a ventilation system. If the heating air is taken from inside the room itself and then simply returned inside, then this is a recirculation option.
Ventilation systems for heating are now used in vegetable stores, workshops, chicken coops, and the like. That is, wherever you need constant access to fresh air.
And the recirculation system has been known to us since ancient times. The simplest example is a fireplace or stove with air ducts for heating. In the modern version, it is a heating boiler built into the ventilation system. But a solar collector will cost much less than the above options, including a water heating system.
DIY winter heating
Sometimes it is necessary to organize heating of a chicken coop or any other outbuilding in winter. But installing a heating stove is too expensive, the costs will not pay for themselves. Therefore, many people choose an air collector for heating the chicken coop; this is an excellent scheme. You can make such a device with your own hands.
DIY solar air collector for heating a chicken coop
This is a more expensive and efficient design than, for example, a collector made of beer cans, you will have to try hard.
Such a device is easy to make, there are practically no maintenance costs, and the collector is very convenient to use. The main thing is to mount it into the wall of the chicken coop, then the efficiency will be much higher, and make a protective coating of polycarbonate.
Of course, the solar collector does not provide heating on gloomy days. But even in winter the sun comes out very often, and at the end of autumn and early spring, when the building needs to be heated, there is a lot of sun. If necessary, such a collector can maintain a pleasant indoor climate even at sub-zero temperatures.
The design of an air collector for a home is simple. At the bottom you need to make a hole with your own hands through which air will flow from the room for heating. There is a mesh inside the collector that heats up and releases heat to the air. Then through the upper hole the flow returns to the room again.
Technology
The canvas should always be installed on the south side. The size of the collector is chosen so that it heats the room well. That is, you need to take into account the dimensions, the diagram allows the difference. It goes without saying that this also depends on the size of the southern wall and the amount of money.
Wooden beam measuring 150 by 50 mm for making the frame of the air collector
First we make the frame of the device. To do this you will need a beam 150 by 50 mm. In principle, the upper part can be made from timber 200 by 50 mm, then you will get a visor. In the middle of the frame it is better to make an additional overlap or even several, depending on the size of the frame. This will increase the strength of the structure. If you plan to use a double-glazed window as a protective coating, then the frame must be reinforced.
The frame should be securely attached to the wall of the house with your own hands and all the cracks between them should be insulated with foam. The housing of the airborne solar collector must be sealed.
Then you need to make holes on the top and bottom of the wall inside the frame for air exchange. If the walls are made of boards or similar materials, this will be easy, but if the wall is brick, it will be more difficult. But still this must be done carefully.
In an air solar collector, the role of an absorber is played by a metal mesh. It can be a mesh, like a mosquito net, only made of metal, but much better results are obtained from an expanded metal or perforated sheet.
Aluminum has high thermal conductivity, so it is best suited. In addition, the larger the area capable of receiving energy, the better the end result. Unfortunately, due to the high price, few people can afford it, so they usually make do with a metal mesh.
The surface must be coated with black paint, this will enhance the selective abilities of the absorber.
It is necessary to install valves on the upper openings through which warm air will enter the room; this is easy to do with your own hands. Otherwise, in cloudy weather, cold air will enter from the collector.
A piece of not too dense polyethylene is suitable as a valve. It is attached only to the top edge and warm air will be able to lift it, but cold air will not get through.
You need to install a fine mesh, preferably nylon, on the lower holes. It will protect the collector from dust getting inside, so it is better to install several layers. Dust must not be allowed to get inside the collector, because it will settle on the protective glass and worsen the efficiency of the device.
The nylon mesh will need to be changed from time to time with your own hands, because it will become clogged with dust and will no longer allow air to pass through. You can also wipe it down occasionally.
Then you need to install a transparent protective layer. This could be tempered glass, different types of polycarbonate, transparent slate, double glazing or something else. The main thing is not to forget that the solar collector box must be sealed and all cracks must be securely sealed. A double-glazed window is best, but it costs much more, but there are different types of more affordable polycarbonate.
Using this scheme, you can do it yourself by heating a chicken coop or any other outbuilding.
Separately, we need to remember the SolarVenti system. This is an air collector that works on the principle of ventilation. It is used in rooms where mustiness or mold may form. For example, basements, garages, cottages, construction sheds, boats, terraces, residential buildings and the like.
A distinctive feature of the SolarVenti system is that the fan does not require additional power supply, and the absorber is protected using polycarbonate.
As in conventional collectors, the absorber in SolarVenti collects energy from the sun's rays, but then the built-in photocell comes into action. It converts it into electricity, which turns on the fan. That is, even the operation of the fan occurs thanks to solar energy.
Fresh air enters through many small holes on the back wall without the help of pipes. This ensures the necessary circulation. There is also a filter that prevents dirt from getting inside the SolarVenti. And such a collector uses the heat of the walls to increase the heating performance of the house. Typically some type of polycarbonate is used as a protective layer.
Window collector
For those who do not want to make massive structures, there is an air collector that can be mounted directly on the double-glazed window. Even a woman can remove it with her own hands, and without much effort. Such a collector will provide heating to the house through a double-glazed window. By the way, this is a more efficient system than a beer can collector.
It is made of aluminum - this reduces weight and increases the efficiency of the device. The frame is made of two aluminum frames. You can attach it to a double-glazed window with your own hands in the same way as a mosquito net is attached.
The back wall is an aluminum sheet of medium thickness so that it does not wrinkle. To circulate air in the back wall, you need to punch two rows of holes at the top and bottom. Cold air will enter the lower ones, and warm air will come out of the upper ones. The aluminum sheet must be attached with your own hands using aluminum tape, fixing it in all corners and in the middle.
In order to strengthen the back wall, you can install an aluminum profile with rivets in the middle.
The absorber can be made from thin black foil, which is what photographers use. True, it is hard to find and it is not cheap. Therefore, many choose a more practical option - a very thin sheet of aluminum painted black.
The absorber must have the same dimensions as the rear wall. When it is attached to the body with aluminum tape, you can install a second frame on top. The entire structure must again be secured on top with aluminum tape.
On top of the second frame you need to stick double-sided tape around the entire perimeter. A transparent protective layer will be attached here. Shrink wrap is best. Don't forget, it should be tight. The collector body must be sealed, like a double-glazed window. Unfortunately, it is not possible to use polycarbonate here.
After this, the air collector can be mounted on the double-glazed window. The window must be facing south. Of course, you can also attach Velcro and glue the collector directly to the glass unit. This is a matter of choice, but in this case it will be necessary to ensure the flow of warm air inside using pipes.
Airborne solar collector made from beer cans
You can also make an air manifold from beer cans. A collector made of cans will be less efficient, by several joules. In this scheme, a heat generator is made from cans.
The main advantage of an airborne solar collector made from cans is the availability of materials, in particular, the same cans.
You can either buy an air manifold from the manufacturer or make it yourself. As you can see, such collectors are available to everyone, because anyone can make an air collector from cans.
Solar air collectors (Fig. 1) are gaining an increasing number of supporters. This is a solution that opens up good opportunities for relatively little money to improve the atmosphere in the premises. They really deserve to be paid closer attention.
Solar air collector, in relation to private households, performs three functions. The first is additional heating of the room. The second is ventilation and filtration of indoor air. The third is dehumidification of the room during periodic heating in cold weather.
There are practically no restrictions on the operation of solar air collectors - no electricity or gas is needed, air as a coolant does not boil or freeze. There is simply no such thing as “stagnation of the solar system” as in liquid collectors.
Quick heating of the air in the room to the desired temperature is also one of the features of solar air collectors. Despite the fact that air has a 28 times lower thermal conductivity and a 4 times lower specific heat capacity than water, it is mobile as a coolant and well regulated (in temperature and quantity). The air ensures a rapid change in temperature and a more uniform distribution of heat indoors. It is fire safe. Heated air can be distributed through existing ducts of the ventilation system.
Operating principle.
A solar air collector (SAC) is a heat absorber that uses air as a working fluid (coolant) and solar radiation as a heat source. Cold air enters the channel system, where it is heated by contact with the surface of the absorber, heated by solar heat, and then enters the heated room.
Solar air collectors are divided into three main groups according to the air circulation system: internal circulation/recirculation(cold air is taken inside the heated room) (Fig. 2b), external circulation(cold air is taken from the street) (Fig. 2a), combined circulation(cold air can be taken from both sources in turn or simultaneously) (Fig. 2c).
According to the method of organizing heat flow in the solar air collector, these devices are divided into two types: with natural circulation(passive type) and with forced circulation(active type). In the first type, the laws of convection and gravity operate in the organization of air movement; in the second type, air movement is carried out using a fan.
In modern solar air collectors, a miniature photovoltaic (solar) panel is installed, from which a 12V/12W DC fan is powered. This reduces the fire hazard of the system to zero, compared to powering the fan from a 220V home network.
Device.
Solar air collectors sold on the market in Russia are flat box-shaped devices (similar to flat water collectors) consisting of: an aluminum frame, clear front glass, an absorber (a metal plate painted black or dark blue, sometimes corrugated and/or or perforated), box ducts, insulation (glass or basalt wool board), plastic back wall, fan, mini photovoltaic panel, check air valve, switch and wire, exhaust unit and fasteners (Fig. 3).
Purpose.
The first function of solar air collectors is to heat the room. Cold air located in the lower part of the room or outside enters the collector, where it is heated and returned to the room through the upper exhaust unit (Fig. 4).
Simultaneously with heating the room using outside air, the solar air collector performs a second function - ventilation of the room and the flow of fresh air. A filter is installed at the outlet of the collector air duct into the room, then even in recirculation mode, the air in the room can be purified.
Now let’s look at the third function of the solar air collector, which is why summer residents and other owners of buildings in which they do not live permanently love it.
The solar air collector prevents dampness in rooms in which the heating system operates periodically. This problem cannot be solved by simply ventilating the premises, since the humidity of cold air is higher and its moisture absorption properties are lower. Just look at the Mollier Psychometric Chart and we will see that when the air collector takes air from the street with a temperature of -10°C and a humidity of 70%, it heats the air by 15°C-40°C, even to a temperature of +10°C, then the humidity of this air is reduced to 15%, and the moisture absorption properties of the air supplied to the room increase by 7-9 times (Fig. 5).
Accordingly, the SVK protects the house from the appearance of mold, unpleasant odors, freezing and, accordingly, premature destruction of damp structural elements.
This function of the air solar collector is also very relevant for baths (Fig. 6) and indoor swimming pools (Fig. 7).
It is necessary to mention one more function of airborne solar collectors, which is not very relevant for private households in our latitudes, but still.
In addition to generating heat, the solar air collector can perform barrier and heat-protective functions.
In this case, the collector occupies the entire surface of the wall or roof. The outer surface of the collector and the wall of the building form the so-called double-shell façade. In this way, you can “cover” walls, roofs and inclined elements of buildings (Fig. 8).
The outer part of such a facade performs, on the one hand, a barrier function (protecting the inner part - that is, the actual wall of the building from getting wet), on the other hand, it is a heat-absorbing surface that transmits heat well to its inner side. It is usually made corrugated with fine perforation.
This double-shell façade is divided into vertical sections inside. The outer surface of the facade is heated by solar heat and transfers this heat to the air between the outer and inner walls. The heated air actively rises upward, where it is taken into the premises to heat the building. Very often, as in conventional solar air collectors, hot air is used here in combination with a ventilation system - directly or indirectly. The rising flow of hot air in the cavity of the double-shell facade simultaneously dries the building wall and improves its thermal insulation characteristics.
These properties are highly appreciated in countries with cold and/or damp climates. The solar air collector of the “solar wall” type is not so much used for heating or preheating the air in the ventilation system, but rather performs energy-saving functions.
In our country, individual solar air collectors of a small area have become widespread in application to seasonal, periodically visited and therefore not constantly heated objects: dachas, bathhouses, garages, workshops, studios, warehouses.
At the end of the text, it is necessary to say a little about the disadvantages of the solar air collector:
- An airborne solar collector only works in the presence of sun; its efficiency on cloudy days will be about zero.
- at low temperatures, even on a sunny day, it is better to switch the collector to internal circulation mode.
- When installing the collector, it is necessary to drill one or two large holes in the load-bearing wall or in the roof (depending on the installation location).
Fig.9 Examples of various options for mounting collectors on the wall of a house.
However, by using an airborne solar collector, we can solve the following problems (Fig. 9):
- Ventilation and filtration of indoor air.
- Maintaining a dry atmosphere in rooms where heating is not constantly running.
- Additional space heating.
The sun is a powerful source of energy that people have learned to use for their needs. The simplest example of how the sun's rays can be put to good use is a shower container painted black. A more complex and functional design that you can make yourself is an air solar collector. With the help of such equipment you can not only heat water, but also heat your house.
Heating a house using a solar collector is not its only function
Operating principle
All solar collectors work on the same principle: The energy from ultraviolet rays is converted into heat. The main structural element is a collector, inside of which there are thin tubes with coolant. Antifreeze or water is usually used as the latter.
The coolant moves through the tubes and heats up under the influence of sunlight. It circulates through tubes inside the tank containing water. While the main volume of liquid heats up, the coolant cools down, and due to this, it circulates through the pipes. The principle is similar to how the cooling system works in cars: excess heat is removed from the engine and used, for example, to maintain the temperature in the cabin.
The difference between an air-solar collector and a cooling system in a car is as follows: heat is not simply removed from one place to another, but performs a specific function. Every year solar collectors are becoming more widespread, and scientists are confident that these devices are the future.
Soon, most likely, solar panels will be in every private home Interesting facts indicating that soon the sun's rays will be used everywhere as a source of energy:
- an air solar collector for heating a house is relatively simple and can be made with your own hands;
- the resulting energy can be accumulated and directed to various needs;
- heat does not need to be transported, but is used in the same place where it was received;
- the process of converting solar energy into heat is harmless to the environment;
- collectors do not require expensive maintenance, maintenance is minimal;
- Solar energy is endless and virtually free.
But this heat source also has disadvantages. One of them is the inability to receive solar energy at night . Other disadvantages:
- The efficiency of the equipment directly depends on the insolation characteristics, i.e. in cloudy weather, as well as during periods when daylight is short, less thermal energy can be obtained;
- the creation and installation of a collector will require financial and time costs;
- in winter, efficiency decreases noticeably.
In this video you will learn everything about the airborne solar collector:
Device classification
Solar collectors are divided into double-circuit and single-circuit. The first type is more common. In a device with two circuits, water circulates through one of them, and coolant circulates through the second. This collector is used year-round.
As for single-circuit equipment, it is suitable for use only during frost-free periods, since there is water inside the coolant that can freeze and destroy the tubes.
According to the principle of operation, collectors are also divided into several groups:
- air;
- flat;
- vacuum;
- hubs.
There are several types of models, for example, air Air models
The peculiarity of these collectors is their low efficiency. Air is a poor conductor of heat, although it can heat up. The main advantage is the possibility of year-round use. Since the air does not freeze, there is no risk of the tubes being damaged. Structurally, this type of collector is reliable and simple. Such equipment is suitable for heating different types of premises, including:
- residential buildings;
- basements;
- vegetable storage;
- workshops;
- garages;
- warehouses.
The main element of the collector is a ribbed panel that acts as a heat sink. It is usually made of steel, aluminum or copper. Inside, the panel is divided into cells. The air circulates between the fins and is heated, releasing heat into the room. The cooled coolant moves back to the main part of the collector.
Airborne solar collector made from beer cans: consequences of work after winter:
In Russia, it is advisable to use an air collector as the main source of heating in the south, and only in small rooms intended for temporary residence. In other cases, as well as in regions with harsh climates, it is better to use a different type of model.
Flat heat source
The main advantage of a flat solar collector is its simplicity of design. The equipment is quite reliable, but has a relatively low efficiency. The device is assembled according to the sandwich principle and includes the following elements:
- protective glass;
- copper tubes filled with coolant;
- thermal insulation layer;
- aluminum frame;
- fasteners;
- absorbent.
The plate acts as an absorbing surface (absorbent). It is painted black to maximize absorption of sunlight. Glass is used to create a greenhouse effect. Thanks to it, the heat does not escape, but heats the absorbent. This design is easy to assemble yourself, and it can serve for more than 10 years.
There is a vacuum model, which has its own characteristics Equipment on vacuum elements
Vacuum-type collectors are based on sealed tubes filled with coolant and a heat collector. The tubes are made of glass coated with a special coating, which allows for better heat accumulation. Thanks to the vacuum, heat loss is prevented. During the circulation process, liquid from the vacuum tubes flows first into the heat collector and then into the storage tank with water. The cooled coolant is returned back to the system.
A vacuum (evacuated) device has a higher efficiency than a flat and air device. Using this collector it is convenient to heat water. The good thing about the design is that tubes can be added and removed as the need for hot water increases or decreases.
My air manifold assembly before operation:
There are many options for vacuum devices, including those where glass tubes are located one inside the other, and the outer one contains water. The disadvantage of models of this type is the complexity of manufacturing. It is impossible to create a vacuum at home. Enterprises have this opportunity, however, the process of manufacturing evacuated collectors is not cheap.
DIY assembly
A collector powered by solar energy can be either assembled or purchased ready-made. The second option is inconvenient because as the absorption area increases, the price increases. In this case, the power depends on the size of the absorbing surface. Assembling the air manifold with your own hands is the best option for those who do not want to overpay. Manufacturing does not require expensive tools and materials: in the simplest version, the heating device is assembled from aluminum cans.
When choosing from different types of structures, it is better to choose an air or flat device. The main thing is to be able to prevent heat loss. If you can do this, the design will pay for itself in a few weeks.
The first stage is choosing the place where the device will stand. It should be illuminated by the sun for as long as possible. The panels are oriented to the south, and it is desirable that they can be rotated by adjusting the angle of inclination. This way it will be possible to achieve the maximum level of insolation at different times of the year. For example, in winter the sun is lower above the horizon than in summer.
Air solar collector:
To reduce heat loss, the collector is located as close as possible to the room that is planned to be heated. In particular, you can install it on the gable or south side of the roof. Another important point is shadows from fences, trees and other tall objects. In winter they are longer, and you need to take this into account. The collector should be placed so that shadows do not fall on it at any time of the year.
When a location has been chosen, production begins. Aluminum cans work better than anything else because the metal heats up well and conducts heat. The containers fit together without any problems, since they have the same dimensions, and if necessary, they can be cut and bent.
This heating system can be assembled with your own hands. Having collected a sufficient number of aluminum cans, cut holes in them on both sides. They are joined together and the joints are sealed with sealant. The structure of cans is painted with black paint and placed in a panel. Then the tubes for air removal and supply are connected. Elements intended for installation of ventilation systems are suitable. Thermal insulation material is installed on the back side of the panel, and glass or cellular polycarbonate is reinforced on the front side. The finished collector can operate without additional equipment, but to increase efficiency, you can connect a fan to it.
Another option is to combine the device with the ventilation system of the living space. Passing through the system, the air will heat up by 30-35 degrees.
A homemade collector makes it possible to organize water heating at home. In this case, the function of heat sinks is performed by polyethylene hoses, metal pipes, aluminum or cast iron batteries. For year-round use, a double-circuit collector is built. The coolant is antifreeze or antifreeze.
By assembling a solar air collector with your own hands, you can completely cover the need for hot water and reduce the cost of heating the room.
Do-it-yourself air solar collector made of corrugated sheets: