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Open AccessReport10.2172/5717341

Influence of solar fluid properties on thermal performance based on nominal and measured values

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TL;DRAbstract

Frequently, the fluids that are actually used in solar energy systems are not of the same concentration as those specified in the design. When fluid concentrations vary, the quality of thermal performance varies as well. This report is a preliminary assessment of the effect on thermal performance of variations in the characteristics of solar fluids. Inhibited ethylene and propylene glycol/water antifreeze solutions were collected from seven instrumented sites when these sites became operational. The specific heat and density of these fluids were measured at three temperatures. The daily thermal performance of each site for the month of November 1978 was calculated using design and measured values. Deviations of up to 20 percent were observed in antifreeze concentrations, resulting in deviations in thermal performance and collector array efficiency of up to 8 percent.

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Frequently, the fluids that are actually used in solar energy systems are not of the same concentration as those specified in the design. When fluid concentrations vary, the quality of thermal performance varies as well. This report is a preliminary assessment of the effect on thermal performance of variations in the characteristics of solar fluids. Inhibited ethylene and propylene glycol/water antifreeze solutions were collected from seven instrumented sites when these sites became operational. The specific heat and density of these fluids were measured at three temperatures. The daily thermal performance of each site for the month of November 1978 was calculated using design and measured values. Deviations of up to 20 percent were observed in antifreeze concentrations, resulting in deviations in thermal performance and collector array efficiency of up to 8 percent.

Keywords

AntifreezeHeat transfer fluidThermalEthylene glycolThermodynamicsWorking fluidMaterials scienceEnvironmental science

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