Elastomer-metal-absorber: Development and application

A new principle of a solar collector that consists of appropriately shaped metal form plates as absorbers and clipped in elastomer fluid pipes, the so -called elastomer-metal-absorber, will be presented. The advantages are its freeze resistance, its seawater suitability and new possibilities for simp lified collector installation and system techniques. The design parameters including a detailed analysis of the thermal resistance between the absorbe r and fluid will be discussed, where special regard is given to the develop ment of an appropriate elastomer material with high thermal conductivity as one of the key items. The first development steps have shown that absorber s with a high thermal performance may be constructed. Finally, the idea of application of the principle of the elastomer-metal-absorber to metal roofs and facades will be presented. This idea is followed up within a developme nt project. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.