|
Cutaway of Open-Loop SunSiphon System
|
SunSiphon Installed on Tiled
Residential Roof
|
Since
1992 SunEarth has teamed with Edward's Energy Systems of Perth,
Australia, a world leader in the manufacture of 316L stainless steel
storage tanks and boilers, to market a packaged thermosiphon system
under the brand name of 'SunSiphon' in North America and the Pacific
Basin. The
SunEarth/Edward's collaboration offers the best of two continents – the
world's finest thermosiphon storage tank and rugged, high performance
SunEarth flat plate solar collectors. The SunSiphon is available
in both open-loop and jacketed closed-loop configurations to serve in
any climate.
| How
Does a Thermosiphon System Work? |
| A Thermosiphon unit is a
completely passive design that relies on buoyancy effects to circulate fluid through the
collectors as
opposed to the pumps and controllers found in active systems.
When sunlight strikes the
collectors in the SunSiphon system it heats the
food-grade antifreeze within them, which then rises due to buoyancy
into the jacket-style heat exchanger on the bottom of the storage
tank. Here the antifreeze transfers heat into the tank, becomes
cooler, and sinks to the bottom of the collectors to repeat the
process.
During periods of no sun, the cool
fluid in the base of the collectors is not heated, does not rise,
and thereby stops circulation of the antifreeze. In this
manner, thermosiphon units achieve the operational characteristics of
active systems but without the pumps and controls |
Diagram courtesy Edward's
Energy Systems
|
Storage
Tank
Specifications
|
Tank
Model Number
|
Capacity
(US gal) |
Diameter
(in) |
Length
(in) |
Dry
Weight
(lbs) |
Booster
(Watts) |
|
GX48
|
48
|
22
|
48
|
88
|
2,400
|
|
GX80
|
80
|
22
|
75
|
128
|
4,800
|
|
GX116
|
116
|
22
|
108
|
194
|
4,800
|
Total
System
Specifications
|
SunEarth
Model Number
|
Collector
Model |
No.
of Collectors |
Overall
Width
(in) |
Overall
Length
(in) |
Collector
Area
(sq.
ft.) |
Max
Pressure
(psig) |
Total
Wet Weight (psig) |
|
EPGX48-21
|
EP21
|
1
|
48
|
98
|
21.21
|
150
|
564
|
|
EPGX48-24
|
EP24
|
1
|
48
|
120
|
24.61
|
150
|
572
|
|
EPGX48-32
|
EP32
|
1
|
48
|
120
|
32.79
|
150
|
602
|
|
|
|
EPGX80-40
|
EP40
|
1
|
75
|
144
|
40.81
|
150
|
941
|
|
EPGX80-42
|
EP21
|
2
|
82
|
98
|
42.42
|
150
|
946
|
|
EPGX80-48
|
EP24
|
2
|
75
|
120
|
49.22
|
150
|
963
|
|
EPGX80-63
|
EP21
|
3
|
122
|
98
|
63.63
|
150
|
1,022
|
|
EPGX80-64
|
EP32
|
2
|
98
|
120
|
65.58
|
150
|
1,021
|
|
|
|
EPGX116-63
|
EP21
|
3
|
123
|
98
|
63.63
|
150
|
1,388
|
|
EPGX116-64
|
EP32
|
2
|
108
|
120
|
65.58
|
150
|
1,389
|
|
EPGX116-80
|
EP40
|
2
|
108
|
144
|
81.62
|
150
|
1,480
|
Note: For Imperial collectors substitute an 'I'
for the 'E' in the model number prefix,
 SunSiphon
Specification Sheet (88 kB)
IAPMO
Certification (2007~2008).pdf
 SunSiphon System Ratings
(OG-300)
|
