● Allows Thermal Evaluation of a Flat Plate Solar Collector.
● Optional Focussing Solar Collector Allows Direct Comparison of Performance.
● Optional Solar Array Allows Operation Inside Laboratory
● Negligible Operating and Maintenance Costs.
● Two year Warranty.
Introduction
The rapidly increasing cost of fossil fuels and the visible signs of global warming are concentrating interest in renewable energy. The Hilton RE550 allows students to investigate the thermodynamic performance of solar water heating methods and will be of specific interest to students in the following disciplines.
● Renewable Energy
● Energy Conservation
● Mechanical Engineering
● Physics
● Environmental Engineering
● Plant and Process Engineering
● Building Services
● Engineering Physics
● Marine Engineering
Experimental Capabilities
● Measuring the efficiency of a flat plate solar collector
● With the optional focussing collector, RE550A comparison of the efficiency with a flat plate collector.
● Analysis of the efficiency and heat losses of the collector in use.
● Study of the variation of incident energy on the collector and collector inclination.
● With the addition of optional computerised data acquisition the daily variation of incident energy and system performance.
Description
A flat plate solar collector similar to those used for heating swimming pools or domestic hot water is mounted on an adjustable frame. The unit is designed for internal or external operation.
For internal operation an artificial solar source is available on application as an optional extra.
An instrumentation and water circulating console is attached to the panel under test via flexible hoses and this displays all of the relevant measured parameters.
The operating temperature of the system is adjusted by adjustment of a flow of cooling water and this allows investigation of performance over a range of operating conditions.
The instrumentation records the circulating water flow, flow and return temperatures, ambient temperature and incident solar radiation.
The incident solar energy is measured using a solarimeter and this together with the other measured parameters allows the performance and efficiency of the system to be measured under all operating conditions
A compass and adjustable level indicator are supplied to allow adjustment of the panel on site.
In order to increase the potential outlet water temperature from solar collectors focussing of the solar radiation is often used.
An optional flat focussing type solar collector RE550A is available that can be supplied to allow a comparison of performance of the two types of collector.
Due to environmental concerns and increasing fuel costs, solar collection is of increasing interest in global areas that do not have abundant sunshine year round.
However it is important that students are able to investigate solar collection in a laboratory environment without having to wait for suitable weather conditions.
For environments where abundant solar radiation cannot be relied upon an optional solar simulator RE550B, is available that requires connection to a local electrical power supply.
In order to evaluate daily variations in performance an optional computerised data acquisition system REC550A is available that allows all of the relevant parameters to be recorded over extended periods. Data can then be evaluated in most spreadsheet programs.
The data logger is supplied with easily configured software that can be removed from the unit and used for other applications.
The RE550 unit is complimentary to the Hilton RE540 Photovoltaic Trainer which allows students to examine electrical power generation directly from solar energy.
Specification
An adjustable frame mounted flat plate solar collector with remote instrumentation and water circulation console. Instrumentation must include water flow rate, flow and return temperatures and incident solar radiation. An optional flat focussing type solar collector must also be available together with an optional computerised data acquisition system.
Ordering Information
Order as:
Flat Plate Solar Energy Collector RE550
Optional Items Flat Focussing Solar Collector RE550A
Solar Simulator RE550B
Computerised Data Acquisition System REC550A
