Solar heating tied to gravity steam

michael_34

Ok,
Has anyone installed or researched tying solar thermal to steam gravity system.
I would love to hear all comments.
thanks
Michael

Larry Weingarten

Just maybe...

... you could hook up a parabolic trough solar to a vapor system, but I think air sealing and insulation would give a bigger bang for D buck :~) The temperature difference is just too wide.

Yours, Larry

Paul Pollets

Why??

The sun angle is low in the winter. An array dedicated to DHW production will be the best application. Solar systems used for supplementing HW heating need to be carefully designed, and are usually supplemented by a backup. Supplementing an existing steam system with solar would not be practical due to the average solar water temps in the heating months.

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EricAune

Temps are quite high

I am not a steam-head. I would deduce solar not being very helpful in a steam system, however, I would argue that solar is very viable in the winter months. Solar thermal space heating, if properly designed, will show great performances in most any climate. Mr. Gagnon, I'm sure would agree. Here in Minnesota where the design temps range from -12*f to -18*f we have had many systems producing storage temps in the 130*f plus range on the coldest days.
Peace

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hot_rod

flat panel collectors- solar lasers and in between!

flat panel collectors are capable of 130- 140F in winter months. The outdoor ambient temperature figures into that output, of course. Use the data from the SRCC to plot the output from the panel under various outdoor temperatures in your area.

Evac tube systems could produce 160F or more under the same conditions, in winter months.

I'm not sure either collector could contribute much for steam? Unless you are changing the system to a forced HW system?

I have seen some high temperature collectors being build, aimed for the residential market. They will use the super high temperatures, in excess of 300F sometimes, to drive cooling systems.

Here is a company that sells kits for high temperature solar collectors, Solar Lasers he calls them. Some are built from old satellite dishes! He generates steam, spins a turbine or steam engine to generate electricity with some of these system.

They also sell that highly reflective material, by the foot if you need some. I bought some reflective material from him to build a solar cooker with. interesting fellow.

www.acrosolarlasers.com/

hr

michael_34

i agree

Hot Rod,
She should switch to HW baseboard. Thanks for the info. I was wondering if anybody was crafty enough to try this. For once I have to say no way.
thanks
Michael