The heat pipe system is the latest version of the vacuum tubes system and presents several advantages com- pared to the standard vacuum tubes system. While shar- ing the enhanced performance of the vacuum tubes, the heat pipe is able to prevent many of the inconvenients D, related to the previous vacuum tube system. What is a Standard Vacuum Tube? Evacuated tubes which absorb the solar energy convert- ing it into heat have already been used for years in Germany, Canada, China and the UK. There are several types of evacuated tubes in use in the solar industry. The most common is the“twin-glasstube’ often chosen for its (Outer Tube reliability, performance and low manufacturing cost. Each evacuated tube consists of two glass tubes made from extremely strong borosilicate glass with high chemical and thermal shock resistance. The outer tube is transparent allowing light rays to pass through with minimal reflection. The inner tube is coated with a special selective coating (AI-N/Al) which features excel- lent solar radiation absorption and minimal reflection properties. The top of the two tubes are fused together and the air contained in the space between the two layers of glass pumped out while exposing the tube to high temperatures. This “evacuation” of the glasses forms a vacuum, which is an important factor in the performance of the evacuated tubes because eliminates conductive and convective heat loss. Why a vacuum? As you know if you have used a glass lined thermos flask, a vacuum is an excellent insulator. This is important because once the evacuated tube absorbs the ratiation from the sun and converts it into heat, it won't lose it! The insulation properties are so good that while the tube inside might be 150°C/304°F, the outer tubeis cold to touch .The tubes are able to absorb the energy from infrared rays which can pass through clouds. Wind and low temperatures also have less effect on the functioning of the evacuated tubes when compared to flat panel solar collectors due to the insulating properties of the vacuum. This means that evacuated tube water heaters can perform well even in cold weather when flat plate collectors would perform poorly due to the more consistent heat loss. In order to maintain the vacuum between the two glass layers, a barium Getter is used (the same as in television tubes). During manufacture of the evacuated tube this getter is exposed to high temperatures which causes the bottom of the evacuated tube to be coated with a pure layer of barium. Selective Coating Inner Tube This barium layer actively absorbs any CO, CO,, Nz,H,0 and H, out-gassed from the evacuated tube during storage and operation, thus helping to maintain the vacuum. The barium layer also provides a clear visual indicator of the vacuum status. The silver colored barium layer will turn white if the vacuum is ever lost. This makes it easy to determine whether enmcaw OF NOt a tube is in good conditions. Ee & G @scs ce ©There are different types of selec- tive absorption coating. ALN/AIN- SS/CU is the most efficient using advanced spattering deposition of trivalent element technology. Its absorbance is higher and its emit- tance is lower over 30% compared to the vacuum tubes using only ALIN/AL selective coating (bottom onthe right). Different wall thickness (from 1.6 mm to 2 mm) caters for different climate demands. The diameter below (25 mm) corresponds to 1.6mm wall thickness and means the tube can withstand hailstone = ALNI/AIN-SS/CU ALIN/AL (2 58x1900 | borositieato, 471600 [| porositeste | Oa?om [eo0mm] It is the vacuum tube used for heat pipe and it assimilates the advanced 12 layers of spattering deposition of trivalent element technology, high bosilicate glass and gradual change of ALN/AIN- SS/CU selective complex absorbing coating. The result is high performance of absorption and low reflection ratio. Through the interlayer, vacuum has a unique effect of thermo. It can stand very high temperatures (380°C) and perform a strong heating ability. The deposition layer’s structure adds rare metal to enhance the photo- sensitive reaction, making the absorbing rate of these vacuum tubes up to 0.96, over 16% more than a 180 cm vacuum tube, That is why it is the best performer in cloudy weather. Specification of all-glass Evacuated Solar Collector Tubes 4), Structure: all glass concentric dual tube geometer ).Glass material: borosilicate glass 3). Absorplance: >0.92 4). Emittance: <0.08 (80°C) 5). vacuum: <5°10-3 Pa 6). Stagnation >290 m. CIKW 7) average heat loss: <0.8w/ m’. C 8). Lifetime >18years [ssa [oor 25m | [ssa07 | 001 | 225mm | 71800 mm (2158x2100) borosilicato 2100 mmThe perfect combination - vacuum tube and heat pipe The main features: - Higher heat efficiency: the high heat preserva- tion of the vacuum tube is combined with the advanced heat transferring capacity of the heat pipe and the excellence of the selective absorbing coat- ing. - Its performance is faster and better even in cloudy days and in cold weather. ~ Since there is no water in the vacuum tubes there is no problem of cracking due to frost.The tube can reach up to-30°C with no problem. - No cracking can be caused by abrupt change of temperature as well (as in the situation of water shortages: the tubes are under sun exposure with- out water and then crack once the water comes back). - The absence of water guarantees no scaling, no rusting and no leakages as well. - Each individual tube works independently and the collector can still be working even with several tubes damaged. -The service life of the heat pipe is over 15 years. - The unique connection between the heat pipe and the vacuum tube ensures total sealing (see draw- ing in the next page) and facilitate the replacement of damaged glass tubes if necessary. - During their expected service life, there will be no significant chemical or physical reaction between the gas/liquid contained in the pipe and the walls of the pipe itself. Therefore no pipe rusting or dissolving is going to lead to the pipe failure. - During the same period the gas produced is guaranteed to be incoagulable. - The heat pipe is maintenance free. During is service life there is no need of liquid or other means replacement, substitutions or other manual interventions. Ee BH @scs ceoAfter the solar energy is absorbed by the vacuum transferred to the heat pipe through an jum fin, Heated by the energy, the medium the heat pipe starts working and transferring the heat energy in the condenser zone. The heat pipe is composed in fact of a heat-energy absorption and condenser unit whose inside space is evacuated. Under the vacuum circumstance, the air pressure inside the heat pipe is very low, thus the medium can evaporate easily when absorbing energy. This vapor rapidly rises to the condenser zone where it transfer heat. Doing so the vapor looses temperature, becomes liquid and returns to the bottom of the heat pipe. This process repeats again and again and the solar energy is transferred continuosly. ‘The condenser zone of the heat pipe is inserted into the copper sleeves which are distributed on the water pipe averagely.When water or any other medium flows. across the copper sleeves, get heated. Solr energy adopted bbyheat pipe inside tube Ee BE @scs ce ©