solar heat pipe

                                                        SOLAR COLLECTOR HEAT PIPES

The heat pipe is hollow with the space inside evacuated, much the same as the solar tube. In this case insulation is not the goal, but rather to alter the state of the liquid inside. Inside the heat pipe is a small quantity of purified water and some special additives. At sea level water boils at 100^oC (212^oF), but if you climb to the top of a mountain the boiling temperature will be less that 100^oC (212^oF). This is due to the difference in air pressure.

The heat pipe used in EAMMAR solar collectors comprises two copper components, the shaft and the condenser. Prior to evacuation, the condenser is brazed to the shaft. Note that the condenser has a much larger diameter than the shaft, this is to provide a large surface area over which heat transfer to the header can occur. The copper used is oxygen free copper, thus ensuring excellent life span and performance.

  Each heat pipe is tested for heat transfer performance and exposed to 250^oC (482^oF) temperatures prior to being approved for use. For this reason the copper heat pipes are relatively soft. Heat pipes that are very stiff have not been exposed to such stringent quality testing, and may form an air pocket in the top over time, thus greatly reducing heat transfer performance.

Technical Data