Abstract:
The objective of this study is to formulate a simple and convenient mathematical model by using Microsoft excel program for solar hot water system using heat pipe collector. The formulated mathematical model was composed of 3 principle equations. It consists of the equations for the heat transfer through two glass layers to the heat pipe surface, heat transfer from heat pipe and heat transfer from condenser water to the storage tank. The input variables are outer glass temperature, solar intensity, transmissivity, absorptivity and diffuse reflectivity of glass tube. The output variable were the temperature of the inner glass layer, heat pipe surface temperature , individual temperature of part of heat pipe such as evaporator and condenser, temperature of water in the storage tank, efficiency, energy gained per day, per month and per year. The experiment was performed in Bangkok ,Thailand. The data were taken during the period of 8.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. on 20 November 2007 (cloudy sky) and on 22 November 2007(clear sky) .All data were put in the model, calculated, analyzed and determined the relationship between the variables. From the calculation by the model ,the mean efficiency of the system for the cloudy sky day was 39% while in the clear sky day was 43 %. Both clear and the cloudy sky days showing the maximum efficiency value were occured in the afternoon while the minimum efficiency value of the collector were in the morning and evening. The maximum temperature in the storage tank containing water of 87 liters in the cloudy sky day was 36.98 ºC and in the clear sky day was 41.15 ºC. In comparing the experimental and calculation values, mean efficiency was less than the experimental value of about 1-4%. The temperature of the reservoir from calculation was less than the experimental value of about 4-11%. For the calculation of solar system efficiency and water temperature per month , the lesser the volume of the water, the higher the temperature, while the higher the volume of water, the higher the efficiency of the solar system was obtained. Both of the maximum water temperature that the solar collector produced and the maximum heat energy transferred to water were in March , whereas the minimum water temperature that the solar collector produced and minimum heat energy transferred to water were in May. The highest efficiency of the solar collector was found in May, while the lowest was in February. When the collector was adjusted to different angles, the highest water temperature were found at 45 degree in January 0 degree in June and 30 degree in October. The higher the volume of water ,the higher the electricity cost saving was indicated. In calculation at inclination angles of 15 degree the highest electricity cost saving was in March the lowest was in May. The result from this study can be easily applied for the energy saving and further design for the development of commercial solar hot water system using heat pipe collector.