Reverse flow in natural convection heat pipe solar water heater

Abstract

System performance of a natural convection (thermosyphon) solar water heater depends on design and setup of collector and storage tank as well as environmental factors such as solar intensity, ambient temperature and wind conditions. The relative height separating the tank and collector mainly influences the magnitude of the thermosyphon flow rates, including both forward and reverse flow at night. In this experimental investigation, an array of evacuated tube heat pipe solar collectors was connected to an insulated hot water storage tank. The effect of the separation height between tank and collectors was investigated and reported. Thermosyphon water flow rates were measured using a dye-injection procedure in both forward and reverse flow directions. The results showed that reverse flow always occurred in the evenings and was about 5–11 times less than forward flow. The overnight mean water temperature drop was independent of the height separating the collectors and storage tank and ranged between 2 and 10°C. The temperature drop was greater when the night was cooler.