Simulation studies on pipe spacings for a collector and tank sizes for a solar water heater

Abstract The work reported in this paper was embarked upon with the objective of obtaining information to guide solar thermal systems designers, particularly in water heating, where the number of collector pipes as well as the tank sizes are important parameters. The approach adopted is the employment of a mathematical model of the system whose solution was validated by way of comparison with experimental data. The simulations provided very encouraging results which enabled the deduction of optimum pipe spacing and tank size conditions to be made.