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Is there a way to estimate te flow or heat transfer from a thermosiphon setup like yours?
Thermosiphon question
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Thermosiphon question
by woody » Mon Sep 21, 2009 1:35 pm
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Re: Thermosiphon question
by wkuhns » Mon Sep 21, 2009 8:11 pm
It's pretty hard to do well. I couldn't get any mathematical model that I believed in. Suffice to say that you WILL get flow if the layout is suitable and there are no bubbles. The flow rate will vary with the temperature difference. I get a peak of around 0.5gpm with mine.
One factor that makes flow rate less critical: if the flow rate drops, the delta T increases. Therefore, the net heat transfer rate doesn't change much. It works really well, and is great in that there are no pumps, no valves, and no controls.
If I were designing houses, I'd plan a set of thermisiphon panels in every one. In many cases, all you'd have to do is plan to put the DHW tank on an upper floor.
One factor that makes flow rate less critical: if the flow rate drops, the delta T increases. Therefore, the net heat transfer rate doesn't change much. It works really well, and is great in that there are no pumps, no valves, and no controls.
If I were designing houses, I'd plan a set of thermisiphon panels in every one. In many cases, all you'd have to do is plan to put the DHW tank on an upper floor.
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