Evacuated Tube Solar Hot Water System- How it works.
The Apricus solar collector includes four main components.
1. Evacuated Tube
- Absorbs solar energy and converts it to usable heat. A vacuum between the two glass layers insulates against heat loss.
- The Heat Transfer Fin helps to transfer heat to the Heat Pipe.
- The silicon rubber caps at the end of the tube protect the tube and are UV resistant.
2. Heat Pipe
- Copper vacuum pipe that transfers the heat from within the evacuated tube up to the manifold.
- Insulated box containing the copper header pipe. The header is a pair of contoured copper pipes with dry connect sockets that the heat pipes plug into.
- The manifold casing is made of a strong but lightweight aluminium alloy that is folded to form a strong protective enclosure. The casing is finished with matte black PVDF coating that is UV stabilised for long- term colour fastness.
- Glass wool insulation is “baked like a cake” to form a complete structural shell around the header pipe. This design minimises the amount of metal used in the casing, reducing embodied CO2, and making it very lightweight. The lightness of the manifold box is a feature that installers value when carrying onto the roof.
4. Mounting Frame
- Strong and easy to install with a range of attachment options
- Our manifold is significantly stronger than competitor products with high tensile anodized alumimium mounting frame and 316 (marine grade) stainless steel fasteners and hardware. Only two of new front tracks are required even in high wind load regions.
Evacuated Tube Solar Hot Water System- Designed for the Australian climate
As a system that operates in the outdoors, this means all the components of the collector must be able to withstand all conditions – from freezing point – to the extreme heat and UV radiation of desert locations.
Apricus collectors are designed with this is mind. One way this is managed is the use of silicone rubber instead of plastics for the tube caps, rubber header seals and manifold covers. Silicone rubber is extremely durable, staying flexible in a wide temperature range. It is able to withstand over 200oC / 392oF and is extremely resistance to damage from UV light.
For all the other design features see ’10 reasons to choose an Apricus Solar Hot Water System’ below.
Apricus evacuated tube solar collectors convert energy from the sun. They have a vacuum between two glass layers and work similar to a thermos flask allowing it to retain up to 95% of the solar energy they capture!
This means in colder climates, and during the winter months, heat is retained and not lost into the atmosphere. The collectors are rated to handle frost and down to -15°C temperatures – without the use of glycol which dramatically reduces maintenance of the system.
The Apricus evacuated tube and heat pipe are assembled in a patented format that is different to any other product on the market.
- Rather than a centrally located heat pipe with heat transfer fins radiating out to the glass wall, the heat pipe is positioned directly against the glass wall, where the sun strikes.
- The aluminium heat transfer fin is tightly held against the top inner wall of the evacuated tube and heat pipe with a set of spring clips.
- This is a key design feature as over time, with exposure to high temperature, the aluminium will soften.
- The spring clips guarantee long term tight contact with the glass wall and heat pipe, which is essential for optimal performance.