Storage Tank Heat Losses Through Thermosiphoning in Two SFBP (the Solar in Federal Buildings Program) Solar Systems

摘要

Comprehensive monitoring and performance analyses of Solar in Federal Buildings Program (SFBP) quality sites indicated that storage tank heat losses were significantly higher than design estimates. In some cases, measured losses were as much as 10 times the calculated losses. One potentially significant source of heat loss in solar systems is thermosiphoning. A series of tests was conducted at two SFBP quality solar systems to investigate the existence and magnitude of thermosiphon losses from storage subsystems. (ERA citation 12:040728)