Designing a Solar Water Heater System for 4500 Gal Tank

[gideon0223]

The problem is designing a solar water heater system to keep a 4500 gal tank of water at 140F during the day.

The tank in question has the following properties:

5000gal Volume
4500gal water
It loses about 1.8 degrees F/hr if not heated.

I first need to figure out amount of energy needed to maintain temps.

I did this using the following math:

4500gal of solution times 8.3 lbs/gal of water = 37350lbs of solution

37350 * 1.8 = 67,230 BTU/h of energy needed.

Seems pretty straight forward so far? (Math Errors?)

How do I go about finding out how much collector area and efficiency of solar collectors and heat transfer?

 

[berkeman]

I googled solar water heater calculator, and got lots of good hits. Here's one of the first ones:

http://www.infinitepower.org/calc_waterheating.htm

You can use a similar google search to find other calculators if that one isn't exactly what you are looking for.

Welcome to the PF, BTW!

 

[oswaler]

I would approach this problem by first considering the location and climate of where the solar water heater system will be installed. This information can help determine the appropriate size and efficiency of the solar collectors needed to meet the energy requirement of 67,230 BTU/h. Factors such as the amount of sunlight, average temperature, and seasonal variations will all impact the design of the system.

Next, I would research and analyze existing solar water heater systems and their performance in similar environments. This can provide valuable insights into the most effective design and components to use for the 4500 gal tank.

In terms of determining the collector area and efficiency, I would use mathematical modeling and simulations to calculate the expected performance of the system. This can help determine the optimal size and efficiency of the solar collectors needed to meet the energy demand of the tank.

Additionally, conducting experiments and testing different configurations can also provide valuable data to refine the design and improve the efficiency of the system.

It is also important to consider the maintenance and longevity of the system when designing it. Using durable and high-quality materials can ensure the system operates effectively for an extended period of time.

Overall, designing a solar water heater system for a 4500 gal tank requires a thorough understanding of the system's energy requirements, as well as careful consideration of various factors such as location, climate, and system components. With proper research, modeling, and testing, a cost-effective and efficient solar water heater system can be designed to meet the specific needs of this tank.