System and method for heating water

Abstract

A system for heating a liquid, such as water, the system including a collector and a storage tank, wherein the collector and the storage tank are fluidly coupled together via a manifold. The collector includes a plurality of heat pipes which extend into the manifold. Solar energy is absorbed by the heat pipes and passed to liquid in the manifold, which in turn, is passed to the storage tank.

1 . A system for heating a liquid, such as water, the system including a collector and a storage tank, wherein the collector and the storage tank are fluidly coupled together via a manifold. 
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the collector includes a plurality of heat pipes. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the heat pipes are arranged to be substantially parallel to one another. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 2  or  claim 3 , wherein each heat pipe includes an at least partially evacuated tube that houses at least a first portion of a sealed riser therein. 
   
   
       5 . The system of any one of  claims 2  to  4 , wherein at least a portion of each heat pipe extends into the manifold. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 5  when dependent on  claim 4 , wherein the at least a portion of each heat pipe that extends into the manifold comprises a second portion of the respective riser. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the second portion of each riser is in the form of a bulb. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 6  or  claim 7 , wherein the second portion of each said riser is configured to be oriented above the respective first portion thereof when in use. 
   
   
       9 . The system of any one of  claims 2  to  8 , wherein the manifold comprises a conduit having a substantially constant cross-section and a plurality of apertures in at least one wall thereof, each of the apertures being configured to receive a respective one of the plurality of heat pipes, such that a portion thereof is located inside the manifold. 
   
   
       10 . The system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the storage tank comprises a hot water cylinder that is oriented such that its major axis is substantially horizontal. 
   
   
       11 . The system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the manifold comprises an inlet and an outlet, wherein the manifold outlet is fluidly coupled to a first storage tank inlet and the manifold inlet is fluidly coupled to a first storage tank outlet. 
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the first storage tank inlet is oriented above the manifold outlet and the first storage tank outlet is oriented above the manifold inlet. 
   
   
       13 . The system of  11  or  claim 12 , wherein the storage tank comprises a second storage tank inlet adapted to receive liquid from an external source. 
   
   
       14 . The system of any one of  claims 11  to  13 , wherein the storage tank comprises a second storage tank outlet for enabling hot liquid to be drawn off from the storage tank. 
   
   
       15 . The system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the storage tank comprises auxiliary heating means. 
   
   
       16 . The system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the system comprises remote heating means for generating hot liquid, the remote heating means having an inlet and an outlet. 
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the remote heating means comprises a wetback. 
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 16  or  claim 17 , wherein the storage tank comprises a generally serpentine conduit or coil housed within the storage tank and having an inlet and an outlet. 
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the remote heating means outlet is fluidly coupled to the coil inlet, such that, in use, liquid heated by the remote heating means flows through the coil and provides heat to liquid held in the storage tank outside of the coil. 
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the remote heating means inlet is fluidly coupled to the coil outlet. 
   
   
       21 . Preferably, the coil outlet is oriented below the coil inlet. 
   
   
       22 . A collector configured for incorporation in the system of any one of the preceding claims. 
   
   
       23 . A manifold configured for incorporation in the system of any one of  claims 1  to  21 . 
   
   
       24 . A storage tank configured for incorporation in the system of any one of  claims 1  to  21 . 
   
   
       25 . A method of heating a liquid, such as water, the method comprising providing a solar power collector in thermal communication with a manifold and the manifold in fluid communication with a storage tank such that, in use, solar power received by the collector causes heat to be transferred to the manifold and to any liquid therein, and the heated liquid then passes to the storage tank by thermosiphoning. 
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 25 , comprising providing an electrical heating element in the storage tank, such that, in use, liquid may be heated thereby. 
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 25  or  claim 26 , comprising thermally coupling the storage tank to an external heating means.