Many renewable energy systems have thermal storage tanks that bridge the gap between when energy is available from the heating source, and when that energy is needed by a heating load.
Last month, we began with a concept for an “ideal” thermal storage tank. This tank was then shown in both a classic four-pipe configuration, as well as a newer configuration called two-pipe. This month, we’ll look at a morphing of these two piping methods to create a three-pipe configuration. We’ll also look at options for connecting multiple thermal storage tanks together.
Lochinvar’s new Thermal-Stor stratified solar-thermal storage tank is designed to offer the best solution for solar-thermal and ground-source applications
July 1, 2013
Lochinvar’s new Thermal-Stor stratified solar-thermal storage tank is designed to offer the best solution for solar-thermal and ground-source applications
All factors being equal, warm and sunny days produce the greatest “Btu harvest” from any solar-thermal collectors supplying a domestic water heating system. The more intense the sunlight, the greater the heat input. The warmer the ambient air, the lower the heat losses from the collector enclosure.