Polymeric Materials for Solar Thermal Applications

Dr.-Ing. Michael Köhl, physicist, has been actively involved in the field of solar energy conversion since 1977. He presently works on service-life analysis of solar collectors and photovoltaic modules in the department Weathering and Reliability at Fraunhofer ISE. He was the coordinatorof the EU projects SUNFACE and SOLABS and leader of Subtask 5 of the IP PERFORMANCE. In 2011, he broadened this range with the EU project SCOOP. Dr. Köhl is the current Operating Agent of the Task 39 "Polymeric Materials for Solar Thermal Applications" of the Solar Heating and Cooling Programme of the International Energy Agency IE. Dr. scient. Michaela Meir, physicist, has been working with R&D on solar thermal and energy systems for more than 15 years, with particular focus on the development of solar collectors using polymeric materials. She is presently employed part-time by the University of Oslo and by Aventa AS. She is Chairman of the Norwegian Solar Energy Society board and leader of Subtask A "Information" of IEA SHC Task 39. Sandrin Saile, M.A. received her M.A. in British and North American Cultural Studies from the University of Freiburg. She joined the Fraunhofer ISE's department "Weathering and Reliability". in 2009 where she is responsible for the management and dissemination of the department's solar thermal activities, in particular the projects SCOOP and SpeedColl. Within IEA SHC Task 39 she is mainly active in Subtask A "Information" and played an active role in establishing the Solar Heating and Cooling Series. Prof. Dr. mont. Gernot M. Wallner, graduated with a "Diplomingenieur'' degree in Polymer Engineering and Science at the University of Leoben (Austria) in 1994, and he obtained a PhD degree in the same field at the University of Leoben in 2000. In 2008 Prof. Wallner obtained a Venia Docendi in the field of "Functional Polymeric Materials'' with special focus on solar energy applications. Since 2010, Prof. Wallner has been Deputy Head at the Institute of Polymeric Materials and Testing (IPMT) at the Johannes Kepler University Linz (JKU, Austria). Prof.Wallner is a member and leading person in several solar related working groups and committees. Since the establishment of IEA SHC Task 39 in 2006, he has been leader of the Subtask C "Materials". Dr.-Ing. Philippe Papillon has been a senior expert in the field of solar thermal energy at INES (Institut National de l'Energie Solaire - CEA) since December 2005.He has been active in the field of thermal solar energy for more than 20 years, and has experience as coordinator as well as WP leader in European projects and also large national research projects. Beyond his research activities within INES, he is also an expert in European and French standardization committees, and is a member of the European Technology Platform on Renewable Heating and Cooling board. From 2006-2010 he acted as leader of the IEA SHC Task 39 Subtask B "Collectors".

“With its emphasis on applications, this monograph is relevant for researchers at universities and developers in commercial companies.”  (ETDE Energy Database, 1 January 2013)

• PART I PRINCIPLESIntroductionSolar Irradiance in Technical ApplicationsQuantifying Useful Solar IrradiationSolar Thermal ApplicationsCalculating the Solar ContributionConclusions SOLAR THERMAL MARKETIntroductionCollector TypesRegional Markets Market Trends THERMAL SOLAR ENERGY FOR POLYMER EXPERTSSolar Thermal Systems and Technical RequirementsOverview of Solar Thermal ApplicationsSolar Thermal CollectorsSmall to Medium Size StoragesSources of Further Information CONVENTIONAL COLLECTORS, HEAT STORES, AND COATINGSCollectorsMaterial Properties of InsulationsHeat StoreOther ComponentsAnalysis of Typical CombisystemsDefinition of Polymeric Based Solar Thermal SystemsLife Cycle Assessment Based on Cumulated Energy Demand, Energy Payback Time, and Overall Energy SavingsCumulated Energy Demand, Energy Payback Time, and Overall Energy Savings for Conventional and Polymeric Based Domestic Hot Water Systems THERMAL LOADS ON SOLAR COLLECTORS AND OPTIONS FOR THEIR REDUCTIONIntroductionResults of Monitoring Temperature LoadsMeasures for Reduction of the Temperature Loads STANDARDS, PERFORMANCE TESTS OF SOLAR THERMAL SYSTEMSIntroductionCollectorsSolar Thermal SystemsConclusion PART II PLASTICS MARKET POLYMERIC MATERIALSIntroductionMaterial Structure and Morphology of PolymersInner Mobility and Thermal Transitions of PolymersPolymer Additives and Compounds PROCESSINGStructural Polymeric MaterialsPaint Coatings for Polymeric Solar Absorbers and Their Applications POLYMER DURABILITY FOR SOLAR THERMAL APPLICATIONSIntroductionPolymeric GlazingPolymeric Absorbers and Heat ExchangersConclusion PLASTICS PROPERTIES AND MATERIAL SELECTIONIntroduction How to Select the Right MaterialMaterial DatabasesSelection CriteriaReal Life Example: Standard Collector in Plastic (1:1 Substitution)Summary Part III STATE OF THE ART: POLYMERIC MATERIALS IN SOLAR THERMAL APPLICATIONSSolar CollectorsSmall to Mid-Sized Polymeric Heat StoresPolymeric Liners for Seasonal Thermal Energy Stores STRUCTURAL POLYMERIC MATERIALS -AGING BEHAVIOR OF SOLAR ABSORBER MATERIALS THERMOTROPIC LAYERS FOR OVERHEATING PROTECTION OF ALL-POLYMERIC FLAT PLATE SOLAR COLLECTORS APPLICATION OF POSS COMPOUNDS FOR MODIFICATION OF THE WETTING PROPERTIES OF TISS PAINT COATINGS CONCEPTUAL DESIGN OF COLLECTORSIntroductionCalculation of Collector EfficiencyFlow OptimizationOptimization of the Fluid Dynamics in Polymeric CollectorsCollector MechanicsConclusion COLLECTORS AND HEAT STORESIntroductionSolar Absorber Made of High-Performance PlasticsFlate Plate Collector with Overheating ProtectionFlat Plate Collectors with a Thermotropic LayerSolar Storage Tank with Polymeric Sealing Technology with Storage Volumes from 2 to 100 m3 DURABILITY TESTS OF POLYMERIC COMPONENTSIntroductionTwenty Years Outdoor Weathering of Polymeric Materials for use as Collector GlazingAccelerated Lifetime Testing of a Polymeric Absorber CoatingEvaluation of Temperature Resistance of a Polymer Absorber in a Solar CollectorDetermination of Water Vapor Transport through Polymeric Materials at Raised Temperatures ARCHITECTURALLY APPEALING SOLAR THERMAL SYSTEMS -A MARKETING TOOL IN ORDER TO ATTRACT NEW CUSTOMERS AND MARKET SEGMENTSIntroductionArchitectural Integration as a Marketing ToolWeb DatabaseExamples OBSTACLES FOR THE APPLICATION OF CURRENT STANDARDSIntroductionInternal Absorber Pressure TestHigh-Temperature Resistance and Exposure TestsMechanical Load TestImpact Resistance TestDiscontinuous Efficiency Curves