HEAT-TRANSFER ANALYSIS OF A FLAT-PLATE COLLECTOR IN A SOLAR THERMAL PUMP

A solar thermal water pump using a flat-plate collector with n-pentane as the working fluid is described. A heat-transfer analysis has been carried out for this system with account for all heat losses. Variatio ns in temperature and pressure of pentane in the collection system wit h time are predicted. Two different situations are considered: one wit h pentane getting heated without its vapour being used for operation o f the pump and the other with pentane vapour used for pump operation d uring the heating period. Variations in collector efficiency with time are discussed.