Solar Slab Store design

Brad White_191

perhaps in another thread or by direct e-mail. I suggest a new thread just for you so it will get the attention your question deserves.

This thread is regarding a particular fellow's question and specific application.

Greg_35

I'd appreciate some feedback on the piping/components

aspect of this design for a simple flat panel solar collector feeding into a concrete slab. I am looking more for design feedback more than mfg. specifications.

I've done some investigation of Cedar Mountain Solar (thanks HR)use of direct slab heating when I began the project, and now am ready to build the "pumping station".

The mixer is limiting the high temp input into the pex in the slab.

Thanks in advance for your comments.


Greg Durgin

ross cirrincione

roman floor heat

this message is for Dan where do i find info re; this roman floor heat

UNUSEXFER

slab storage

You need a storage tank.

Greg_35

I should have explained the project a bit more initially.

The radiant slab is designed to absorb the output of the panels and the application does not require a steady or set heating point. The objective with this garage/shop project is to maximize transfer of available BTUs from the collectors in fall, winter and spring. Thus no need for tank. The entire loop uses a glycol/H2O mix.

Thanks.

Greg

Mike Dunn

So what's your plan

when either the air temp or the floor temp is satisfied and you still have btu's to harvest?

Do you plan on letting the system run no matter how hot it gets in the space until the sun goes down?

Mike

Larry Weingarten

If you...

... used some sort of proportional pump control, or PV powered pump, the system could be simplified it seems, by removing the mixing valve. I will suggest thick insulation under and around your storage. Keep it dry also, or the BTUs will find the wrong way out.

Yours, Larry

ps. Stay away form black chrome or any selective surface with your collectors to keep temps from going crazy.

Mark Eatherton

Remember....

When you need it the most, you will get it the least...and, when you need it the least, you WILL get it the most, and you'd best have a plan to get rid of it, or you will regret doing it.

ME

hot_rod

a bit of storage, at least

to provide DHW might be a good addition. It would also give you a place for the control (tank) sensor and allow for injection mixing from the tank. It may also provide a cooler return (higher efficiency) for the panels to operate.

Also do some calcs with the summer time expected solar gains, to be sure you can lose the amount of BTUs the panels will collect.

hr