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The main aim of this project is to develop an ESES lab on a full scale system. The solar combisystem used is available most of the time and is only used twice a year to carry out some technical courses. At the moment, there are no other laboratories about combisystems. The experiments were designed in a way to use the system to the most in order to help the students apply the theoretical knowledge in the solar thermal course as well as make them more familiar with solar systems components. The method adopted to reach this aim is to carry out several test sequences on the system, in order to help formulating at the end some educating experiments. A few tests were carried out at the beginning of the project just for the sake of understanding the system and figuring out if any additional measuring equipment is required. The level of these tests sequences was varying from a simple energy draw off or collector loop controller respond tests to more complicated tests, such as the use of the ‘collector’ heater to simulate the solar collector effect on the system. The tests results were compared and verified with the theoretical data wherever relevant. The results of the experiment about the use of the ‘collector’ heater instead of the collector were positively acceptable. Finally, the Lab guide was developed based on the results of these experiments and also the experience gotten while conducting them. The lab work covers the theories related to solar systems in general and combisystems in particular.

Solar heating systems, by the nature of their design and inherent thermal mass, are sensitive to the changes in the prevailing climatic conditions. A computer program has been developed to predict and display the dynamic performance of solar water heating systems and their installation designs under transient climatic and restricted site conditions. A multi-node capacitance model describes the dynamic heat transfer and energy storage processes within the solar collector unit, storage tank and the connecting pipework. This simulation model predicts the dynamic system performance under intermittent solar radiation, system operation and energy usage conditions. Validation studies have been carried out on the computer simulation results against the performance of a purpose-built solar collector test facility and a commercial solar water heating system in actual operation in Aberdeen. A good correlation has been obtained in both cases. The accuracy of the prediction was found to be dependant upon the time interval of the available climatic data and the complexity of the thermal simulation network chosen. The experimental facilities and the computer simulation program have been developed to investigate the effect of integrating the solar collector installation as part of the roof fabric, as a possible technique to improve the system performance in exposed locations. The application of this computer program lies in the development of innovative solar collector system and installation designs to achieve optimum system performance under transient climatic and restricted urban site conditions.

This diploma thesis is focused on the evaluation of changes in non-freezing heat transfer liquid composed of mixture of polyols and water, used in the real solar thermic system. On the base of the research a new heat transfer liquid is proposed on the platform of 1,3-polyols. The emphasis is put on the non-toxic properties of such system revealing the two chemical candidates for a new heat transfer liquid: 1,3-propanediol and glycerol. These chemicals are mixed together with water using different volume concentrations and properties of such liquids are evaluated.

This thesis deals with the evaluation of changes in properties of an antifreeze heat transfer fluid based on polyols used in real solar thermal system. Emphasis is placed on the use of substances with low impact on the environment.

This diploma thesis deals with the evaluation of changes in properties of an antifreeze heat transfer liquids based on glycols used in real solar thermal system. Emphasis is placed on the use of non-toxic substances, which include propane-1,3-diol.