SOLAR-RADIATION UTILISABILITY METHOD IN HEAT-PIPE PANELS

In this article the validity of the utilisability method for evacuated heat pipe solar panels was tested, through a comparison of expected u seful energy and that measured in an experimental plant. The panels us ed are distinctive for the working of the heat pipes, which for collec tion, require a threshold irradiance value higher than the critical, u sed in quantification of heat losses. Working limits were identified a nd the basal utilisability calculation hypotheses tested by using a ca lculation code that simulates heat pipe behaviour. Dynamic phenomena l inked to inertia during collection were studied with a mathematical mo del constructed from results provided by the collector's held at stepp ed variation to solar irradiance. The numerical and experimental resul ts enable a critical comparison between calculated and measured energy . Copyright (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.