A Reference heat source for solar collector thermal testing
Harrison, S. J. and Bernier, M. A.
1984 Presentation at NRC Institute for Research in Construction; National Research Council Canada, NRCC #: 24094
solar collectors; thermal testing equipment
Harrison, S. J. and Bernier, M. A., (1984), "A Reference heat source for solar collector thermal testing", Presentation at NRC Institute for Research in Construction; National Research Council Canada, NRCC #: 24094.
Abstract:
Liquid-based solar collectors have been tested using a direct-comparison reference heat source (RHS). An electric heater is installed in series with the solar collector under test. Energy is added to the heat transfer fluid at a measured rate by the RHS, and the rate of solar energy collection is determined as the product of this energy input and the ratio of the differential temperatures across the collector and the heater. The RHS and associated temperature sensors can be thought of as a thermal mass flow meter where, in effect, the product of mass flow and specific heat is measured directly in the test loop. Calibration tests were performed on two reference heat sources at various flowrates and at the temperatures normally encountered in flat plate solar collector testing ( approximately 10 degrees C to approximately 95 degrees C). Values of solar collector efficiency, the ratio of the measured RHS thermal power output to the fluid to the RHS electrical power input were determined for each case.
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