Evacuated tube solar collector (ETSC), also known as Vacuum tube collectors, is a collector made up of evacuated glass tubes, aluminum fins, and a heat pipe.
What is a vacuum tube solar collector?
The vacuum tube solar collector consists of a set of cylindrical tubes. The tubes are made up of a selective absorber on a reflective seat and surrounded by a transparent glass cylinder. A vacuum has been created between the transparent outer tube and the inner absorber that acts as a diathermic wall.
What is a solar collector?
Solar collectors are the key component of solar-heating systems. There are several types of solar collectors: A vacuum tube collector (Fig. 1) consists of a group of single vacuum tubes linked together to one collector. Built into each tube is a coated absorber made of copper or glass. The vacuum in the glass tubes ensures optimum heat insulation.
What are the different types of evacuated tube solar collectors?
Evacuated tube solar collectors are categorized into two major groups; the single-walled glass evacuated tube and the Dewar tube (Gao et al., 2013).
What is a vacuum tube collector?
In contrast to Viessmann flat-plate collectors, the absorber in vacuum tube collectors on solar thermal systems is located directly on the tubes themselves. In the former, the tubes through which the solar medium flows are located between two flat absorber layers. Another special feature is the vacuum.
What are the benefits of vacuum tube collectors versus flat solar collectors?
The benefits of vacuum tube collectors versus flat solar collectors are explained below. Evacuated tube solar collectors are cheaper than flat solar collectors. Nowadays, the price has improved due to the growing demand, experience, and new tube manufacturing technologies.
How do solar collectors work?
Solar collectors aim to convert solar radiation into thermal energy reducing heat losses. The vacuum tube solar collector consists of a set of cylindrical tubes. The tubes are made up of a selective absorber on a reflective seat and surrounded by a transparent glass cylinder.