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Max -Tec System
 

MAX-TEC solar collectors convert direct and diffused solar radiation into usable heat energy. The collectors efficiently collect and transfer this energy to a special collector plate through a rapid heat transfer channel called the ‘heat-pipe’. Situated in an evacuated glass tube, this pipe is a highly insulated manifold heat exchanger.

The collector plate has a special coating using a semiconductive layer that converts the maximum amount of solar radiation into heat, whilst experiencing very low radiation losses.

The heat-pipe has a very low heat capacity but an exceptionally rapid conductivity and therefore is a very efficient and speedy heat conductor. The special fluid inside the ‘heat-pipe’ evaporates when heated, transferring heat energy upwards. The vapor condenses inside a special heat exchanger (which is located within a water manifold) and the fluid then returns to its original position due to gravity and the cycle is repeated. The vacuum in the glass tube, being the best possible insulation for a solar collector, suppresses heat losses and also protects the system from external adverse conditions. This results in exceptional performance far superior to any other type of solar collector.

''Unlike some other types of solar collectors, evacuation tube systems still provide excellent results on cloudy days''

Unlike some other types of solar collectors, evacuation tube systems still provide excellent results on cloudy days because the tubes are able to absorb the energy from infrared rays that pass through cloud cover. Wind and low temperaturesalso have less effect on the function of evacuation tubes due to the insulating properties of the vacuum. The shape of the tubes provides superior absorption because:

The Max-Tec heat pipe

 
Renewable Energy Solutions ‘heat pipe’
Solar Key mark No 011-7S171 R
 

Close-up of an evacuated tube

 
  1. As the tube is circular, the sun’s rays always strike the tube’s surface at right angles, thus
    minimizing reflection.
  2. If the collector surface is flat, the amount of solar radiation striking the collector surface is only at its maximum at midday when the sun is directly above the collector.

These features maximize the total amount of solar radiation the collector is exposed to each day and make the MAX-TEC solar collectors a fantastically effective system for reusable energy.

 
Max -Tec series 15 tube 20 tube 25 tube 30 tube
Width of the module 1410mm 1825mm 2240mm 2655mm
Height of module 2020mm 2020mm 2020mm 2020mm
Thickness of the module 155mm 155mm 155mm 155mm
Weight wet per solar panel 58.3 kg 77.1 kg 96.1 kg 114.1 kg
Manifold water content 1.2L 1.6L 1.9L 2.3L
Gross area 1.97 m2 2.62 m2 3.49 m2 3.93 m2
Aperature area 1.396 m2 1.861 m2 2.323 m2 2.791 m2
Absorbing area 1.206 m2 1.607 m2 2.010 m2 2.411 m2
Maximum amount of collectors 13 sets 10 sets 8 sets 6 sets
 
The Vacuum tube Specification
Stagnation temperature 200.3 °C
Vaporisation temperature approx 40°C
Maximum test pressure 12 bar
Maximum operating pressure 6 bar
Working pressure 6 bar
Hail resistance 25mm
Glass tube material high grade borosilicate glass 3.3
Outer tube diameter 58mm
Inner tube diameter 47mm
Outer glass thickness 1.8mm
Inner glass thickness 1.6mm
Vacuum tube length 1800mm
Long term vacuum protector getter / barium
Tube thermal expansion 3.3 X 10 -6°C
Absorptive coating graded AI-N/A1
Absorptance 94% (AM 1.5)
Emittance 7% 7% (100°C)
Vacuum 0.005Pa
Heat loss 0.8 W/m2. °C
Fluid solution Glycol solution
Insulation Polyurethane / mineral wool
Insulation thickness 40mm
Connection size 1"
Flow rate recommendation 50-150L m2 per hour
Min / Max inclination angle 15 - 75 degree
 
 
 
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