Low-Cost Polymer Based Solar Domestic Hot Water Systems

Research at the University of Minnesota focuses on design, material and thermal performance issues that offer opportunities to improve performance, durability and/or to reduce the cost of polymer based solar domestic hot water (SDHW) systems. Results demonstrate 1) an internal baffle provides a modest improvement in the rate at which stored heat is extracted from a tank with an immersed heat exchanger, 2) for polyolefins (a low cost commodity polymer) the mechanical performance and lifetime will depend on the rate at which antioxidants are lost to the surrounding potable water and 3) scale formation on polymer tubes is 30 % less than that on copper tubes after 2 months exposure to flowing tap water