GB2458272A

GB2458272A - Solar water heating system comprising a wind turbine

Info

Publication number: GB2458272A
Application number: GB0804433A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Osborne
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-03-11
Filing date: 2008-03-11
Publication date: 2009-09-16
Also published as: GB0804433D0

Abstract

The present invention details a water heating system which can provide a continuous supply of heated water in all weather conditions, during day and night time, utilising solar energy via a solar panel, and a conventional immersion heater 5 powered by battery 3 or mains supply and wind turbine 6 generated power. Preferably, the solar panel comprises a black anodised aluminium heat exchanger 2 which may include fins (12b, fig.2) or ribs (12c, fig.2) to increase the surface area for heat absorption. The heat exchanger may be located within an insulating ultraviolet (UV) protected black plastic tray with a sunlight transmitting clear covering sheet, which may be made from polycarbonate plastic or glass. Preferably, the solar panel is tilted at an angle and connected to a water storage tank 1, which may be made from polypropylene, comprising a sealed lid to form a closed system.

Description

SUMMARY OF INVENTION:

21 This invention provides a simple water heated system which supplies 22 continuous supply of heated water in all weather conditions, during day 23 and night time utilising solar energy via solar panel, conventional 24 emmerser heater powered by battery or mains supply and wind turbine generated power..

BACKGROUND:

26 Solar heating water systems have been developed and are described 27 below in detail: 28 Solar water heating systems as disclosed by W02007053859 and 29 US6OI 4968 describe heat exchangers which primarily consists of a heat absorbing pipe or pipes which are connected to a water tank and 31 utilizes solar energy for energy supply. US6014968 discloses a heat 32 exchanger comprising of a number of heat absorbing pipes which are 33 surrounded water cooling return pipes and is aimed at industrial 34 applications. W02007053859 is aimed at low cost users and is inexpensive and discloses solar water-heater which includes a water -36 storage tank connected to heat absorbing pipe and an outlet of which 37 connected to hose pipe for supplying heated water to a user.

38 US61 19682 discloses solar energy powered, thermosyphon-circulated 39 water heater and storage device comprising: a flat, tilted solar radiation absorber panel and an insulated hot fluid storage tank and connecting 41 pipes, but also enclosed is electric immersion heater A solar energy 42 powered water heater and storage device. In essence it provides a low- 43 profile, flat-plate solar energy collector holding a fluid which is heated 44 and circulated to an integrated, insulated hot fluid storage tank, the hot fluid in turn heats line pressure water passing through an extended 46 length, heat-exchange piping circuit incorporated within said tank, in 47 conjunction with a supplementary, electric water-heating means 48 CN1837711 discloses split type solar water heater comprising of heat 49 collector formed by glass vacuum tubes, a water tank, an inlet and outlet heat collector tubes, a closed electromagnetic valves and a 51 computer control plate for controlling said cycle system.

52 W09531677 describes a heat exchanger for vacuum systems, 53 especially for use as a flat solar absorber or a wall or roof panel, with an 54 envelope for the heat exchange medium sealed and core which has narrow flutes, grooves or channels on the heat-exchange surface.

56 US426 1333 describes a solar heating panel apparatus which has a 57 supporting base with a plurality of elongated heat exchanger members 58 mounted to the base. Each heat exchanger is operatively connected to 59 one end of an adjacent heat exchanger to provide a continuous path through the heat exchangers from a fluid input to a fluid output. Each 61 heat exchanger has a hollow centre core having a passageway running 62 spirally around the centre core and uses the centre core as one wall of 63 the spiralling passageway.

64 US4159708 discloses a solar energy collector and heat exchanger for use in a solar energy system that provides space heating and 66 preheating of water for a building or residence. The discloser is aimed 67 at improved solar energy collector and heat exchanger of the type 68 which comprises a radiation collecting surface enclosed within a 69 hcus:ng which surface absorbs the soar energy cii [he uii aiii transfers it to a portable storage medium. An improved solar energy 71 collector and heat exchanger includes baffles in the housing that define 72 a first serpentine channel beneath the surface and a second serpentine 73 channel above the surface. Air inlet and air outlet parts in the housing 74 communicate with both the first and the second channels A fluid system having an inlet and an outlet is provided. A fluid system includes 76 an array of interconnected tubes mounted on the solar absorption 77 surface.

78 CN1294284 discloses a photoelectric and passive photothermal 79 appliance for greenhouse. Its solar battery is connected with accumulator or inverse transformer of electric network to provide 81 electric energy to the electric appliances. Its solar heat collector is 82 linked with air purifier and heat exchanger for regulating air quality and 83 indoor temp. A cold water tube passes through heat exchanger for 84 providing hot water.

JP56146958 discloses a thin box made of plastic plate and aluminium 86 plate with enclosed air to form heat exchanger and water pipe is 87 connected to this transmit heat. This system requires heat to be 88 transmitted via exchanger to water pipe.

89 This invention is aimed at an inexpensive and simple system to provide households with means to heat water utilizing solar energy. The simple 91 system is easily assembled and easy to maintain making it affordable to 92 poor households in developing countries. Unlike above descnbed prior 93 art, this system heats water by solar energy. In essence, it provides an 94 inexpensive, easy to assemble system which heats water. Also, the system is designed such that it supplies continuous supply of heated 96 water.

Summary of Invention

97 The main embodiments of this invention are as follows: 98 This nvertion provds a simple watci heated system which supplies 99 continuous supply of heated water in all weather conditions, during day and night time utilising solar energy via solar panel, conventional 101 emmerser heater powered by battery or mains supply and wind turbine 102 generated power.

104 A simple solar panel system to heat water at very low cost A solar panel comprising of black anodised aluminium heat exchanger 106 contained in an encloser made of insulating black plastic container with 107 sunlight transmitting clear plastic sheet when connected to closed water 108 tank provides means to heat water at very low cost Another embodiment of the invention is a solar panel system entraps 111 solar energy and heats water to A25°C to 85°C, preferably i\25°C to 112 A45°C, and generate via (a) dear plastic panel/sheet, (b) heat 113 absorbing black anodised aluminium sheets, (c) black body effect, d) 114 and green house effect. A solar panel consisting of heat exchanger made of sheet of heat absorbing black anodised or anodised aluminium 116 sheet with emissivity> 0.6, preferably 0.9-0. 95, and a clear plastic 117 sheet or glass panel The solar panel made of black anodised 118 Aluminium heat exchanger and sun entrapping clear plastic sheet is 119 titled at angle is connected to water tank with sealed lid to generate closed system 122 Another embodiment of the invention is a solar panel system heat 123 exchanger is made of black anodised plain thin sheet with fins to 124 increase the surface area for heat absorption 126 Another embodiment of the invention is a solar panel system heat 127 exchanger is made of black anodised ribbed thin sheet to further 128 increase the surface area for heat absorption The black anodised aluminium has emmissivity of> 0.6 -0.95 to 131 increase heat absorbing capacity.

133 The black anodised aluminium has emmissivity of preferably 0.8 -0.95 134 to increase heat absorbing capacity.

136 The heat exchanger has emmissivity, absorbance of 0.6-0.98, 137 preferably 0.85-0.98.

139 The anodised aluminium has enhanced hardness by 10-20 times, with enhanced durability and lifespan of 20 years 142 A Continuous heating of water through solar energy in heat exchanger 143 occurs which it flows back to the water storage tank through the outlet 144 pipe.

146 A UV protected black plastic moulded tray is used provide insulative, 147 black body and greenhouse effect for the solar panel 149 A clear plastic or glass panel provides means of sunlight transmittance and greenhouse effect for the solar panel 152 Another embodiment is use of emmerser heater to keep water heated 153 at night time or in absence of sunlight Another embodiment is use of emmerser heater to keep water heated 156 at night time or in absence of sunlight which is powered by battery and 157 transformer 159 Another embodiment is use of emmerser heater to keep water heated at night time or in absence of sunlight which is powered by electricity 161 mains and transformer 163 Another embodimont is use of emmerser heater to keep Water heated 164 at night time or in absence of sunlight which is wind turbine. c)

DESCRIPTION

Detailed Description:

166 Figure 1: Schematics of water heating system 167 Figure 2: Heat exchanger configuration 168 Listed below are semantic of numbering: 169 Figure 1 1. Moulded tank 171 2. Aluminium Heat exchanger 172 3. 12 volt battery 173 4. 12v-240v Transformer 174 5. Emmerser 6. Wind turbine 176 7. light supply 177 8. Plug supply 178 9. raised floor to incorporate panel 179 10. 2mm polycarbonate sheet 11. Turbine head with vane 182 Figure 2 183 12. Aluminium panel 184 12b Aluminium fins 12c Ribbed surface 186 Figure 1 show that water heating system is made of rotationally 187 moulded UV protected water tank (1). The water tank is made of black.

188 4 Eyelets at each corner at the base of the tank which allows for 189 connection to the ground or Roof. This water tank is attached to one moulded shape plastic frame into which Aluminium heat exchanger (2) 191 is inserted or placed. The heat exchanger is made of Black ionized 192 Aluminium (metal sheet) The black anodized Aluminium sheet has 193 emmissivity> 0.8 to 0.98, preferably 0.9 to 0 98 and hardness of 10-20 194 times> unanodised Aluminium with enhanced durability and 20 year lifespan. Typical Aluminium hardness is 150 MPa. The heat exchanger 196 has dimensions of 900mm long, 700 and 25mm in height (12). The heat 197 exchanger metal sheet is 3mm Aluminium plate with fins(17/18)at depth 198 of 25mm long and equally spaced allowing a 10mm recess (1 2b) 199 around the whole panel as shown in Figure 2. Preferably this could have elliptical surface -wave formation (12c) which increases surface 201 area and helps diffuse the light to the panel. This results in higher heat 202 absorption capability. The top surface of the frame is made of 2mm 203 thick plastic sheet, which preferably is made of polycarbonate sheet 204 (10). 2mm polycarbonate sheet of clear plastic attached on top surface 205 to the enclosed area of the frame eliminates wind chill. The heat 206 exchanger has a gap of 54mm between heat exchanger surface and 207 the polycarbonate sheet. A 2mm Plastic sheet has flat side having 208 down indent to create rigidity, air tight lid to emit wind-chill. The 209 dimensions of plastic frame are: Length 1.4m, Width 800mm, Height 210 230mm at the higher end attached to water tank and the height tapers 211 to 80mm tilting the heat exchanger to 10-20 degree angle. The inlet of 212 the water tank is attached to the lower end of the heat exchanger and 213 outlet return to the water tank from the higher end of the heat 214 exchanger. The floor pan is raised in the panel part of the mould to 215 ensure a 25mm gap to provide a recess under the heat sink.

217 The Studs that allow connection to the tank will be stainless steel to 218 ensure no sacrificial corrosion will take place. The rubber gasket will be 219 placed between the Aluminium plastic and plastic shoulder. This will 220 allow for expansion and contraction within the two materials.

222 The clear polycarbonate sheet to entrap sunlight coupled to black 223 Aluminium panel made of ribbed or plane surface and having fins forms 224 basis of a solar panel. This solar panel traps suns energy in very 225 efficient manner. The water flow in Aluminium finned panel. Utilising the 226 suns energy heat builds up in the tank allowing the heat circulation to 227 start. There is a replacement panel excluding 2mm polycarbonate sheet 228 to provide with a PV solar panel overlaying the Aluminium sheet 229 supplying power to a battery pack (3) with a step up transformer (4).

230 There shall be a boss in which an emmerser heater (5) can be screwed 231 into which will run on the suns energy produced and collected during 232 the day. This will only work at night to keep the water warm. Standard 233 12 volt battery (3) basically a car battery with step up transformer or 234 l2volt light. A power source (8) can provide electricity for light domestic 235 use (7). A secondary power source is achieved with connected wind 236 turbine (11) at the highest point of the tank (6). This will provide 237 additional power in the form of Connecticut energy This power will be 238 stored within the battery like the PV solar so that in the evening when 239 the sun goes down the battery can still be charged if there is a slight 240 wind. Insulation-the tank will be insulated with a polyurethane foam 241 which itself is waterproof 243 The invention relates to a self standing passive solar heat exchanger 244 for use to heat hot water utilizing solar energy to provide households 245 with a simple method to heat water. The solar unit is easy to install on 246 a roof flat preferable or on the ground. The system provides many 247 households with an affordable system with a long working life In 248 addition, the solar exchanger combined with closed flow system 249 provides means of purifying/distilling water. Henceforth, solar panel 250 attached to water tank functions as water heating system. This system 251 has added advantage that it is continuously maintain heated water via 252 emmercer heater powered by battery or maybe direct Mains electricity 253 supply and transformer e.g. at night time or when cloudy weather. In 254 addition, a wind turbine also supplies additional power and would be 255 most suitable at night time 256 The schematic of water heating and is shown in Figure 1. A water tank 257 (1) which can be of any shape e.g. square, round or square has a 258 closed lid. The lid is preferably of sealed fitting type so it is air tight. q

259 Alternatively it can be of lose fitting if system is to be only used for 260 water heating. The water tank can hold 20-200 litres and preferably 100 261 litres. The tank is filled with water via water hose, bucket or a tap. The 262 plastic tray is titled at an angle of 5 to 90 degrees, preferably to 10-25 263 degrees so the solar heat transmitted via solar panel made of plastic 264 sheet, air buffer and black anodised aluminium and entrapped in and 265 absorbed by aluminium panel heat exchanger to heat water, 266 The inlet of water tank attached to the lower end of heat exchanger and 267 outlet of heat exchanger attached to higher end of water tank enhances 268 and accelerates heating of water in tank via convective flow.

269 Black anodising, high conductivity of Aluminium and higher emmissivity 270 allows effective higher heat absorption to heat the water providing the 271 highest source of solar energy.

272 The water storage tank (1) can be made from black plastic materials 273 usually polypropylene.

274 A typical size of 60-100 litres within the tank allows 2-10 litres in the 275 heat exchanger system allowing a total capacity of 62-110 litres. This 276 capacity can easily be varied to suit the needs smaller or bigger.

277 The water heating system is flat based to allow the system to be placed 278 on a roof or on the ground or of a said structure.

279 The tank can be cylindrical or rectangular with a lid this is used to proict the water from debris and fcrc:gn bcdes.

281 The tank may be from sized according to water demand for a typical 282 house of 4 inhabitants may require 100 litres whereas another 283 household of 6 inhabitants may use 160 litres this can be varied to suit.

284 The tank may be insulated using spray foam or an insulating blanket.

285 The storage tank is filled by hand through an opening in the tank 286 however an automatic filling device may be applied if required i.e. if it 287 installed on the roof 288 The nature of the plastic is to act as an insulator. This allows the UV 289 protected tray to insulate the heat exchanger to ensure a constant 290 temperature once heated by solar energy.

291 Distance between the clear plastic sheet and the heat exchanger may 292 be 5-100mm, preferably 54mm to minimise shadow castings over the 293 course of the day as well as a reduction in volume to heat.

294 A spigot is fitted to the tank to allow hot water to be drawn off manually 295 without removing the lid. This spigot can be adapted for roof 296 installations to allow the system to be connected to domestic plumbing.

297 This system allowed temperature of water to increase by A25-80°C, 298 preferably by t25-45°C. The increase in water temperature was also 299 dependent on temperature of sunlight. Outside temperature of 20- 300 25D°C enabled water temperatures of 45°C attained at open outlet 301 configuration within 2-8 hours, preferably 4 hours. Outside temperature 302 of 20-35°C enabled water temperatures of 65°C attained. Use of 303 emmerser heater and wind turbine enhances the temperature rise and 304 decreases time duration. Combination of all system allows continuous 305 water heating system.