This document is a project proposal for the design of a novel solar thermal collector. It provides an overview of the project goals, which are to design a lower-cost collector with comparable efficiency to commercial models. It discusses initial design parameters and milestones for the first semester, including a literature review and meetings with stakeholders. Details provided include different types of collectors, a preliminary design, budget, and timeline. The next steps outlined are to finalize the design, begin construction and testing of prototype collectors.

1. Solar Thermal Collector Design
Project Proposal
Carl Sandness, MEng Candidate
Advisors: Mr. J. Moe Benda, Director, Iron Range/UMD Graduate Engineering Program
Dr. Richard Davis, Professor, Director of Graduate Studies
Presented to the Faculty of the University of Minnesota Duluth
Department of Chemical Engineering
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/50/PS10_solar_power_tower_2.jpg

2. Solar Thermal Collector Design
Overview
• Project updates
• Semester 1 milestones
• Initial design parameters
• Semester 2 milestones
• Questions
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3. Solar Thermal Collector Design
Project Description
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1. To produce a novel solar collector with comparable efficiency
and lower cost than commercially available models with
environmental sustainability in mind.
2. To demonstrate the energy savings in utilizing solar thermal
domestic hot water heating.
3. To provide a functional educational model to use in
instructing students and to mentor students in the construction
of their own solar thermal collectors.
4. To conduct a feasibility study of the local production and
incorporation of novel solar domestic hot water heaters into
Habit for Humanity houses.

4. Solar Thermal Collector Design
Types of Collectors
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Motion Collector Type Absorber Concentration Ratio Temperature Range (˚C)
Stationary
Flat-Plate (FPC) Flat 1 30-80
Evacuated tube (ETC) Flat 1 50-200
Compound Parabolic (CPC) Tubular
1-5 60-240
Single-axis tracking
5-15 60-300
Linear Fresnel (LFR) Tubular 10-40 60-250
Cylindrical Trough (CTC) Tubular 15-50 60-300
Parabolic Trough (PTC) Tubular 10-85 60-400
Two-axis tracking
Parabolic dish reflector (PDR) Point 600-2000 100-1500
Heliostat Field (HFC) Point 300-1500 150-2000

5. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/96/Evacuated_tube_diagram.jpg
Evacuated-tube collector
Solar Thermal Collector Design
Types of Collectors
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http://www.solarpoweringyourhome.com/solar-hot-water/solar-thermosyphon-heater-system
Thermosyphon
http://www.adamsolarresources.com/pictures/flatplate.jpg
Flat-plate collector

6. Solar Thermal Collector Design
Project Milestones
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1. Literature review of collector types.
2. Tours and meetings with stakeholders.
3. Some financial support and the potential for more.
4. Received initial approval to construct at HHS.

7. Solar Thermal Collector Design
Selected Literature Sources
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1. D.S. and Cahen, D. Ginley (2012). Fundamentals of Materials for Energy and
Environmental Sustainability. Cambridge University Press
2. Kalogirou, S. A. (2009). Solar Energy Engineering, Elsevier
3. Frank Kreith and D. Yogi Goswami (2007). Handbook of Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy, CRC Press
4. Duffie, J.A. and Beckman, W.A. (2006). Solar Engineering of Thermal Processes,
Wiley.
5. German Solar Society (2005). Planning and Installing Solar Thermal Systems - A
Guide for Installers, Architects and Engineers.
6. Kalogirou, S. Solar thermal collectors and applications. Prog. Enger. Combust. Sci.
2004, Vol. 30, 3, pp. 231-295.
7. Mazria, E. (1979). The Passive Solar Energy Book, Rodale Press
8. Sayigh, A.A.M. (1977). Solar Energy Engineering, Academic Press

8. Solar Thermal Collector Design
The Team
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Carl Sandness, Physics/Chemistry/Pre-Engineering, Hibbing High School
J. Moe Benda, Director, Iron Range/UMD Graduate Engineering
Dr. Richard Davis, Professor, UMD Department of Chemical Engineering
Russell McConkey – HHS IT faculty
Terry Vesel – HHS IT faculty
U of M CERTS, NE Region – Bill Mittlefehldt
Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board – Jim Plummer
Contacts at RREAL – Jason Edens and Roger Garton
Darryl Thayer and Associates – Darryl Thayer
Contact at Habitat for Humanity – Nathan Thompson
Contact at Silicon Energy – Erin Shea (awaiting response).

9. Solar Thermal Collector Design
Criteria
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1. Safety is the number one criteria for this design.
2. Budget of $5000, collector protoype < $2000.
3. Other factors include:
a) Thermal output
b) Manufacturability
c) Portability
d) Freeze-protection
e) Durability
f) Weight
g) Footprint
h) Aesthetics
http://www.adamsolarresources.com/pictures/flatplate.jpg
Flat-plate collector

10. Solar Thermal Collector Design
Pugh Analysis
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Criteria FPC ETC CTC
Safety 0 - -
Cost 0 - -
Thermal output 0 + +
Manufacturing 0 - -
Portability 0 0 -
Freeze Protection 0 + +
Durability 0 - -
Weight 0 + +
Footprint 0 + -
Aesthetics 0 0 0
Score 0 0 -3

11. Solar Thermal Collector Design
Material selection
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Frame - sheet metal
Insulation – ISO, R-Tuff
Glazing – low Fe
Absorber – PP/PE, PPS, Cu
Piping – Cu, PEX

12. Solar Thermal Collector Design
Preliminary Design
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13. Solar Thermal Collector Design
Preliminary Budget
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Component Vendor Cost
PE/PP Collector Plate Solar Direct $ 256.00
Collector Housing In-house $ 300.00
Glazing eBay $ 70.00
PEX Tubing Home Depot $ 30.00
Storage Tank Lowes $ 210.00
DC Circulating Pump Seabird solar $ 75.00
Coolant L&MSupply $ 10.00
Sensors and Controller Vernier $ 258.00
Hardware L&MSupply $ 200.00
Miscellaneous L&MSupply $ 150.00
Total $ 1,559.00

14. Solar Thermal Collector Design
Next steps
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1. Set meeting with colleagues to discuss needs and organize
facilities for the design and build portion.
2. Await application for IRRRB funding, plan for meeting
with IRRRB representatives.
3. Solicit funding from Green Team at OSLC, AMFA, local
business and industry.
4. Invite other interested professionals to join the team.
5. Solidify design parameters and begin analysis of the solar
collector design.
6. Solicit quotations from suppliers.
7. Begin construction of collectors.

15. Solar Thermal Collector Design
Timeline for 2-Semester Project
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16. Solar Thermal Collector Design
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Questions and comments are welcome