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Types of Solar Collectors Explained

Solar collectors can be classified in two main types based on the working fluid: water collectors that circulate water, and air collectors that circulate air. Collectors can also be classified as non-concentrating, which directly collect radiation without focusing, or concentrating, which focus radiation into a smaller area to achieve higher temperatures. Common solar collector types include flat-plate collectors, evacuated tube collectors, parabolic trough collectors, compound parabolic concentrators, and dish collectors.

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29 views4 pages

Types of Solar Collectors Explained

Solar collectors can be classified in two main types based on the working fluid: water collectors that circulate water, and air collectors that circulate air. Collectors can also be classified as non-concentrating, which directly collect radiation without focusing, or concentrating, which focus radiation into a smaller area to achieve higher temperatures. Common solar collector types include flat-plate collectors, evacuated tube collectors, parabolic trough collectors, compound parabolic concentrators, and dish collectors.

Uploaded by

mozan.hammed
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Chapter Four

Solar Collectors
4.1 Classification of solar collectors

Solar collector is the device responsible on converting the incident solar radiation
into useful thermal energy that can be carried out of the collector by passing a
working fluid. Solar collectors can be classified according to the type of the working
fluid into two main types: −

Water Collectors: In this type pure water or water−based mixtures is circulated in


the collector. They are usually used in solar water heaters and heating systems
incorporated in air conditioning and industrial applications.

Air Collectors: In this type atmospheric air is circulated in the collector and
incorporated then in drying processes of food materials or in warming residential
spaces.

Solar collectors can also be classified into: −

Non−concentrating Collectors: In this category the incident solar radiation is directly


collected without being focused or concentrated. These type are used in low to
medium temperature applications (less than 100oC)

Concentrating Collectors: In this category the incident solar radiation is focused into
a smaller intercepting area by the use of reflecting surfaces. Extremely high
temperatures can be obtained by this category reaching 1000oC or more.

The common types of solar collectors are: −

Flat−Plate Collectors
Non−concentrating, using water or air
Evacuated Tube Collectors

Parabolic Trough Collectors

Compound Parabolic Concentrators Concentrating, using water, oil or liquid metal

Dish Collectors

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Fig. (4.1): A flat−plate solar collector with dissembled parts.

Fig. (4.2): Solar water heater incorporating a flat−plate collector.

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Fig. (4.3): A huge parabolic trough used for power generation.

Fig. (4.4): A solar dish concentrator.

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Fig. (4.5): Solar water heater incorporating evacuated tubes.

Fig. (4.6): An evacuated tube equipped with a heat pipe.

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