Vacuum solar collector: principle of operation + how to assemble yourself

A lot of money is spent on hot water and space heating. But there is an alternative source of energy - a vacuum solar collector. Have you heard about this? It allows you to significantly reduce financial costs for maintaining comfort, providing maximum heating effect with minimal heat loss.

This device can be bought from manufacturers of household equipment or assembled independently at home. To choose a suitable model, a lot of information remains to be studied. We will help you determine the main criteria for the purchase.

The article will focus on the principle of operation and the design of the vacuum manifold. We will talk about the design features of various models, consider the pros and cons of these installations. In addition, we will describe in detail how to make and install a vacuum solar collector yourself.

The material is accompanied by videos from which you will learn about the important features and principles of operation of vacuum collectors.

The principle of operation of the vacuum unit

The vacuum solar collector differs from conventional solar systems in the way solar energy processing. A classic battery simply receives light and converts it into electricity. The collector consists of glass tubes with a vacuum recreated inside. They are combined into a single system through special docking nodes.

Inside each tube is a channel of one or two copper rods with a coolant. By capturing the sun's rays, the active element heats the heat-transfer material, thus ensuring the operation of the collector.

Due to this design, the level of energy transfer increases significantly, and heat loss is significantly reduced, since the vacuum layer allows you to save about 95% of the captured solar energy.

A vacuum solar collector located on the roof of a private house will provide residents with hot water throughout the year, and during the cold season it will comfortably heat the room without spending a lot of money

In addition, the dependence of reservoir productivity on seasonality, ambient temperature and various weather conditions, such as gusts of wind, variable cloud cover, precipitation, etc., decreases.

How is a vacuum-type collector arranged?

Modern vacuum devices that provide premises with heat and hot water due to solar energy are technologically different.

Collectors are divided into the following types:

• tubular without a glass protective coating;
• module with reduced conversion;
• standard flat version;
• device with transparent thermal insulation;
• air unit;
• flat vacuum manifold.

A vacuum solar collector is able to provide hot water and heating at any time of the year, and in any weather (+)

All of them have a common structural similarity, so they consist of:

• external transparent pipefrom where air is completely pumped out;
• heated pipelocated in a large pipe where the liquid or gaseous coolant moves;
• one or two prefabricated valvesto which pipes of a larger caliber are connected and a circulation loop of thin tubes placed inside is included.

The whole design is somewhat reminiscent of a thermos with transparent walls, in which an unprecedentedly high level of thermal insulation is maintained. Due to this feature, the housing of the inner tube acquires the ability to warm up efficiently and fully give the energy resource to the coolant circulating inside.

Structural Nuances and Classification

Vacuum-type collectors are classified by the type of glass tubes installed in the structure, or by the characteristics of the heat channels. Tubes are usually coaxial and feather, and heat channels are U-shaped straight-through and heat pipe types. .

Coaxial tube characteristic

Coaxial tubes are a double glass thermos flask with a vacuum space artificially created between the walls.The inner surface of the tube has a layer of special heat-absorbing coating, so the actual heat transfer occurs directly from the walls of the glass bulb.

Coaxial tubes are made of high-strength borosilicate-based glass with high light transmittance. The elements, depending on the manufacturer, have up to three layers of magnetron sputtering, demonstrate excellent strength and resistance to various atmospheric manifestations (rain, hail, etc.), withstand pressure of 1 Mpa and serve reliably for 15 years

As an absorbing element, a copper tube containing an ether composition is soldered into a glass tube. In the process of heating, it evaporates, effectively gives off its heat, condenses and drains to the bottom of the tube. Then the cycle repeats, thus creating a continuous process of heat transfer.

Feather Tube Features

Vacuum pen tubes have a greater wall thickness than coaxial and do not consist of two, but one flask. The internal copper absorption element is provided along the entire length with a strong amplifier - a corrugated plate with a high-level energy-absorbing coating.

Due to this design feature, the vacuum is located directly in the heat channel, part of which, together with the absorbent, is integrated directly into the flask.

The pen vacuum tube inside contains a plate resembling a pen in its shape. In terms of efficiency, it exceeds the capabilities of its coaxial counterpart, but has a significantly higher cost and is difficult to replace in case of violation of the integrity of the flask or failure of the heating element

Collectors made on the basis of feather vacuum tubes are considered to be the most efficient in their class, perfectly cope with the tasks and reliably serve for many years.

Principle of operation of the heat pipe heat pipe

The heat channels of a heat pipe consist of closed tubes containing an easily volatile liquid composition. Under the influence of sunlight, it warms up, passes into the upper region of the channel and concentrates there in a special heat collector (manifold).

The working fluid at this moment gives off all the accumulated heat and again drops down to resume the process.

The heat-pipe heat exchanger sleeve is connected to the manifold’s heat exchanger through a special socket soldered into the 1-pipe heat exchanger itself or bent around by a 2-pipe heat exchanger.

The working element of the heat pipe heat pipe is made of copper, in more rare cases - of aluminum. It shows high resistance to operational loads, has been reliable for 15 years, has a reasonable cost and is one of the most popular elements of modern tube-type vacuum solar systems

The heat carrier selects the released energy from the heat reservoir and transfers it further through the system, thus ensuring the availability of hot water in taps and radiators. The heat pipe system is easy to install and demonstrates high efficiency during operation.

The collectors equipped with heat pipe vacuum tubes have a good level of reliability and are suitable for use not only in everyday life, but also in high-pressure solar systems

In the event of a breakdown or failure without any difficulties, it is possible to replace the damaged unit with a new one without resorting to reconstruction of the entire system.

Repair work can be easily carried out right at the location of the collector, without dismantling the unit and without applying unnecessary efforts to the work.

Description of a U-shaped in-line heat exchanger

The tube of the direct-flow heat exchanger has the shape of the letter U. Water or the working fluid of the heating system circulates inside. One part of the element is intended for cold coolant, and the second correctly discharges the already heated one.

During incandescence, the active composition expands and enters the storage tank, thus creating a natural circulation of fluid in the system. A special selective coating applied to the inner walls increases the heat-absorbing ability and increases the efficiency of the system as a whole.

Compared to heat-pipe type tubes, U-shaped products have greater hydraulic resistance, impose increased demands on the coolant and are much more expensive. Collectors operating on once-through U-tubes cannot work under high pressure and provide high-quality heat transfer only during the warm season

U-type tubes demonstrate high performance and give solid heat transfer, but at the same time they have one significant drawback. They form one integral construction with manifold’s and are always mounted together with it.

Replace a single single tube that failed, will not work. For repair, you will need to dismantle the entire complex and put a new one in its place.

Comparison of various modifications

In the manufacture of solar units, heat channels and vacuum glass tubes for solar collectors are combined in a variety of combinations.

The most popular among consumers are coaxial models with a heat pipe heat pipe. Buyers are attracted by the loyal price of devices and a very simple, affordable service throughout the entire life cycle.

The vacuum solar collector with a working channel heat pipe is perfectly repaired. Damaged tubes are replaced on site and do not involve dismantling the system or moving it to another location. However, heat transfer in these models is difficult, due to which the output efficiency is not more than 65%

Vacuum devices with heat pipe channels demonstrate high reliability and have no restrictions on use, even in high-pressure solar thermal complexes.

Devices with a coaxial flask containing direct-flow U-shaped channels are also included in the list of popular ones. They are characterized by such parameters as low heat loss and efficiency from 70% and above.

For correct operation, a vacuum device with a U-channel must be installed correctly. It is desirable that the minimum angle of inclination is at least 20⁰. Only in this case will it be possible to ensure maximum return

The situation is somewhat spoiled: a complex repair process, specific maintenance during operation and the inability to replace a single damaged unit. If something happens to the device, it is dismantled and a completely new collector is put in place.

Fountain tubes are structurally a single cylinder made of glass with thickened strong walls (depending on the manufacturer, from 2.5 mm and above). The pen-absorbent insert contained within fits tightly on a working channel made of heat-conducting metal.

Almost perfect insulation creates a vacuum space inside the glass container. The absorbent transfers the absorbed heat without loss and provides the system with an efficiency of up to 77%.

In the event of a malfunction, collectors equipped with feather tubes must be repaired. It is not necessary to change the entire system, it is enough to detect a damaged unit, dismantle it and put a new one in this place

Models with a feather element are somewhat more expensive than coaxial ones, but due to their high efficiency they provide full-fledged comfort in the room and quickly pay off.

The most effective and efficient are feather flasks with internal direct-flow channels. Their actual efficiency sometimes reaches record levels of 80%.

When installing the feather tubes in the frame, a strong compression nut with a ring and a heat-resistant gasket is put on the core of each part.This ensures the integrity of the entire structure and enables the collector to fully function in any conditions

The price of the products is quite high, and during the repair it is necessary to drain the entire coolant from the system and only then proceed with troubleshooting.

What should be the heat sink?

The heat collector is another very important working element of the vacuum manifold. Through this node, the accumulated heat is transferred from the tubes to the coolant.

The heat collector is located at the top of the device. One of its components, the copper core, receives energy and transfers it to the main heat carrier circulating in the closed system “tank-collector heat exchanger”.

Correct operation is guaranteed when connected to the system circulation pump. The automation controlling the heating complex clearly monitors the temperature level in the channels and, if it falls below the permissible critical minimum (for example, at night), stops the pump.

This allows you to avoid reverse heating when the coolant begins to collect the heat of the hot water collected in the storage tank.

Pros and cons of vacuum type collectors

The main advantage of the units is the almost complete absence of heat loss during operation. This provides a vacuum environment, which is one of the highest quality natural insulators. But the list of benefits does not end there.

Devices have other pronounced advantages:

• work efficiency at low temperature indicators (up to -30 ° С);
• the ability to accumulate temperatures up to 300 ° C;
• the maximum possible absorption of thermal energy, including the invisible spectrum;
• operational stability;
• low susceptibility to aggressive atmospheric manifestations;
• low windage due to the structural features of tubular systems capable of passing air masses of different densities through themselves;
• high level of efficiency in regions with a temperate and cool climate with a small number of clear and sunny days;
• durability subject to the basic rules of operation;
• availability for repair and the ability to change not the entire system, but only one failed fragment.

The disadvantages include the inability of the collectors to self-clean from hoarfrost, ice, snow and the high price of components needed to assemble the unit at home.

The solar collector is an effective device that allows converting solar energy into thermal energy with virtually no loss

DIY assembly

The process of assembling a vacuum manifold begins with the manufacture of a substrate frame for work items. It is mounted immediately in the place that is allocated for the unit.

The size and dimensions of the frame entirely depend on the model that you plan to make, and are usually prescribed in the instructions, which is located among the supporting documents for the components.

The finished frame for the collector is fixed to the roof so that it occupies a clear position and does not swing. If the roof of the building is slate, they use lathing beams and large-caliber thick screws. For other roofing materials, conventional anchors are used.

I fix the places where the frame adjoins the roof surface with sealant, so that in the future water will not enter the house through openings. Then, the storage tank is delivered to the installation site and it is fixed with screws on the upper part of the frame.

The next step is to collect the heater, temperature sensor and automated air vent. All auxiliary units and related parts are placed on the supplied softeners. To fix the temperature sensor use a socket wrench.

Next, equip the supply of water communications. For this purpose, pipes are taken from any material resistant to low temperature indicators and capable of withstanding up to 95 ° C. Well proven polypropylene pipes and fittings.

Polypropylene pipes are ideal for organizing the connection of the solar collector with the plumbing system of the living room. The fittings have good physical characteristics and operational endurance, reliably serve for many years and are easily replaced in case of cracks or tears

By connecting the water supply, the storage tank is filled with water and tested for leaks. If leaks are detected somewhere within 3-4 hours, they are repaired.

At the end, heating elements are installed. To do this, the copper tube is wrapped in aluminum sheet and placed in a vacuum tube made of glass. From below, a fixing cup and anther of durable, flexible rubber are put on the flask.

The upper copper tip of the tube is pushed all the way into the brass capacitor. Viscous thermal contact grease is not removed from the pipes. The locking mechanism is latched onto the bracket and all the remaining glass tubes are mounted on the same principle.

Tubular solar collectors require regular maintenance and mandatory cleaning, especially during periods of heavy snowfall. If you follow these simple rules, they will work for a long time and will maintain a high level of efficiency throughout the entire operational period.

A mounting block is placed on the structure, a 220 volt power supply is supplied to it, and three auxiliary units are connected to the system - a heating element, an air outlet, and a temperature sensor.

The last to connect the controller, designed for the correct management of the complex. The desired operating parameters are entered into the controller menu and the system is started in standard mode.

A step-by-step instruction on the construction of a solar collector is given in this article.

How to place the device?

In order for the vacuum collector to fully work and effectively provide the living room with the necessary energy, it is necessary for him to find the most suitable place and correctly orient the device relative to the parts of the world.

Vacuum-type solar collectors are much more practical than their flat counterparts. When one of the working tubes gets damaged and fails, it is very easy to replace it with a new one. After that, the system will continue to function as before. If at once there is no opportunity to put a new element in its place, it does not matter. The unit will be able to fulfill its “duties”, even if a node with a damaged element is available

For settlements of the northern hemisphere, it is important to place the collector in the southern part of the roof of the house or on the sunny side of the site. It is desirable to ensure a minimum deviation for the plane of the device.

If there is no possibility to direct the surface to the south, it is worth choosing among the west and east the most light angle in open space.

The high working efficiency of the vacuum-type collector is also due to the fact that it acts on the principle of a mirror and evens out its thermal power based on the current height of the sun

The energy solar complex should not cover chimneys, decorative fragments of roofing, spreading branches of trees and tall residential or technical buildings. This will reduce the efficiency and reduce the level of heating of the active elements.

If the unit is located correctly, it will provide almost the same heat transfer throughout the year, regardless of the season.

If there is no much experience in the implementation of complex repair, installation and locksmithing work, vacuuming the tubes at home is irrational. This process is very laborious and requires special knowledge and specialized equipment.

In addition, self-made vacuum-type elements have a much lower level of efficiency than factory parts. Therefore, it is most reasonable to purchase products from a specialized manufacturer, and then try to assemble several sections at home.

The site has a selection of articles on the arrangement of the solar heating system, we recommend that you read:

1. Solar heating systems: analysis of heating technology based on solar systems
2. Heating a private house with solar panels: schemes and device
3. Flexible solar panels: types, characteristics + connection features

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

A detailed, detailed description of the vacuum tube, the principle of its operation and the features of the functioning of the solar collector as a whole. The author talks about some interesting nuances and shows that the installation can be a real alternative to a gas boiler.

Interesting information about the work of the solar collector in the winter.

How to mount a vacuum solar collector with your own hands at home. All the nuances of the process, recommendations and useful tips.

Knowing the basic principle of operation of a tubular vacuum solar collector, you can assemble the unit yourself. The installation will fully meet personal individual requirements and needs.

This is not a difficult task, however, it requires increased attention, scrupulousness and certain skills, otherwise the risk of damaging the integrity of the flask and breaking its tightness increases significantly.

All interested in the matter of choice, installation or self-assembly of the solar collector are invited to leave comments and ask questions. The contact form is located in the lower block.