In areas with hard water, scaling can reduce the reliability of solar hot water (SHW) systems. Common reliability problems associated with scaling are both mechanical (collector freeze damage, clogged passages, premature failure of pumps and valves) and thermal (efficiency degradation). A mechanistic and a mathematical scaling rate model are presented. Results from controlled experiments investigating the effect of key water chemistry and heat transfer parameters on the scaling rate are summarized. The implications of these results for designing SHW systems for scaling environments are discussed. Most importantly, indirect systems where the potable water side of the heat exchanger is integrated into the storage tank wall, such as in a wrap-around heat exchanger, are shown to be the most mechanically and thermally reliable systems for scaling environments. A new version of the software SolScale is discussed, which is intended to aid in the design of SHW systems to reduce scaling related reliability problems.
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ASME Solar 2002: International Solar Energy Conference
June 15–20, 2002
Reno, Nevada, USA
Conference Sponsors:
- Solar Energy Division
ISBN:
0-7918-1689-3
PROCEEDINGS PAPER
Identifying and Reducing Scaling Problems in Solar Hot Water Systems
Derek K. Baker
,
Derek K. Baker
Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA
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Gary C. Vliet
Gary C. Vliet
University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
Search for other works by this author on:
Derek K. Baker
Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA
Gary C. Vliet
University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
Paper No:
SED2002-1036, pp. 57-64; 8 pages
Published Online:
January 5, 2009
Citation
Baker, DK, & Vliet, GC. "Identifying and Reducing Scaling Problems in Solar Hot Water Systems." Proceedings of the ASME Solar 2002: International Solar Energy Conference. Solar Energy. Reno, Nevada, USA. June 15–20, 2002. pp. 57-64. ASME. https://doi.org/10.1115/SED2002-1036
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