The Solar Thermal Training System contains all the essential components of a real solar thermal system. The powerful collector is controlled by a high-quality solar thermal controller from STECA. The collector heat is transferred via a finned tube heat exchanger to the buffer tank and can be called up from there in the heating circuit with the training stand S1 underfloor heating.
The solar thermal training system can be used both in the initial training as a system mechanic for HVAC and in further training. The experiment manual contains a detailed description of the components and their modes of operation, as well as practical experiments and tasks and their solutions.
Pedagogic requirements
- Maximum learning efficiency from closely linking theory and the practical side of the subject with hands-on learning processes
- The contents of learning must be made "graspable" in both meanings of the word
- To avoid any waste of time in the learning organisation, all learning processes have to provided at the place of learning in a qualified and optimised manner, and the system technology must be designed for practical applications such that these processes can be realised in a mutually complementing way
- This calls for "integrated specialist classrooms" where both theory and the practical side of the area of technology concerned can be mediated
- The efficiency in conveying the knowledge and findings is part of the balanced concept which includes written information and exercises organised using modern media techniques, PC workplaces, experimental, laboratory and demonstration equipment to practice on
- All learning processes are designed in the context of "complete action" with the problem assignment (job, information), conditional analysis (analysis of the knowledge relevant to the organisation, planning), project realisation (execution, realisation, test record) and transfer (documentation, assuring the results, testing)
The teaching system heat pump with solar thermal energy consists of five mobile training stands, which can be combined in different ways depending on the teaching objective:
- Training stand S1: Geothermal Heat Source or Underfloor Heating
This training stand can be used as a source of heat in the configuration "Brine heat pump" (training stand 5) or as the heat sink in combination with the heat pump or the solar heat stand (training stands 3 and 4).
Operation with or without filling with water is possible here!
- 200-litre water tank
- 3 pipe systems (10, 20 and 30 metres in length)
- Integrated hot-medium meters to measure the overall flow, the hot and the cold outputs as well as the admission and return temperatures
- Bypass valve between the heating circuits for the experiments to bypass the three pipe systems
- Experiments on "hydraulic adjustment" with the three pipe systems routed in parallel using the volumetric flowmeters and throttle valves
- Training stand S3: Solar Thermal Energy with Solar Simulation
The main components of this training stand are the flat plate collector, the solar heat regulator and the circulation pump
- Clear glass collector with copper absorber (collector area 0.93 m², liquid content 0.9 litre, flow from left or right, standstill temperature to about 185°C)
- System regulator with diverse regulating functions and energy measuring / sensing for the functional value using an erasable memory device for the data
- High-efficiency pump (minimum power input 5.8 W and maximum delivery height 5 m) as the wet running meter with EC motor, and with automatic adjustment of the power
- 6 x 500 W halogen spotlights for simulation of the irradiated solar power
- Safety devices with diaphragm expansion vessel and 6-bar pressure control valve
- 2 ball valves, with integrated thermometer and gravity braking system in the collector circuit
- Flowmeter and "FlowCheck" for controlling the flow (5 to 40 L/min)
- Fittings for filling and flushing
- Training stand S4: Coupling Component Hydraulic Switch, Plate Heat Exchanger and Buffer Storage
This training stand is used for adaptation to the hydraulic conditions. The uses for the hydraulic switch, the plate heat exchanger or the heat exchanger integrated in the storage system are diverse.
- Hydraulic switch and plate heat exchanger are interchangeable using an exchangeable disc (the component not being used is fastened to the rear of the stand)
- Hydraulic switch: Stainless steel vessel (volume approx. 1 litre) Primary circuit and secondary circuit are at the same pressure but are not hydraulically coupled
- Plate heat exchanger: 16 exchange plates, exchanger performance 17 kW at 70/50°C primary and 35/45°C secondary
- Enamel reservoir for holding 160 litres of water, with integrated straight-tube heat exchanger
The following learning objectives can be achieved with the teaching system, among others:
- Understanding of system technical conditions of solar thermal plants.
- Knowledge of electrical, hydraulic and control engineering operating conditions using the example of a solar thermal system.
- Systematic action for commissioning a solar thermal plant.
- Abilities for action-oriented planning, construction and commissioning of solar thermal heating systems.
- Ability to create test reports on solar thermal systems.
- Competence in the metrological recording and evaluation of electrical and hydraulic processes using solar thermal systems as an example.
- Understanding of processes of energetic optimization in heating systems with solar thermal energy.
- Knowledge of the terms and operating resources of solar thermal systems.
- Understanding of the control and energy optimisation of circulation pumps in heating systems.
- Competence for the optimisation of energetic processes in heating systems.
- Initial training / apprenticeships:
- Plant mechanic Sanitation
- Electrical engineer for energy and building services engineering (formerly: electrician)
- Continuing education:
For further training measures in renewable energies and SHK for the fields of heat pumps and solar thermal energy, e.g. for further training qualifications:- Solar technician
- Specialist for solar technology
- Solar thermal specialist
- Heat pump specialist
- Solar consultant
- etc.
- For company and inter-company training centres
- Universities
- Operational research and development
- Scientific research and development
- Three mobile training stands: S1, S3, S4
- Solarcheck Mobilcenter P80
- Magnetic designation boards for the most important components: Each training stand is supplied with magnetic boards with the designations of the most important components of the respective stand as well as self-adhesive carrier plates The correct assignment of the designation boards to the components is part of the didactic concept.
- Accessories: Hoses for filling (1/2" thread) and emptying (3/4" thread) the system as well as all necessary connecting elements and connections for carrying out all the tests described in the test instructions
- Detailed experiment instructions:
- Theoretical part (basics, description of the teaching system)
- Test descriptions (structure of the tests)
- Task sheets
- Solutions
- Extract Table of contents
- Reading sample Description Training stand S1
- Reading sample Experimental procedure and measuring tasks
- Reading sample Measuring tasks Solutions
- Training Stand S1: Geothermal Heat Ssource or Underfloor
Heating
- Dimensions (W x D x H in mm): approx. 1,000 x 800 x 1,980
- Weight: approx. 80 kg
- Training Stand S3: Solar Thermal Energy with Solar
Simulation
- Dimensions (W x D x H in mm): approx. 2,150 x 800 x 1,980
- Weight: approx. 130 kg
- Training Stand S4: Coupling Component Hydraulic Switch, Plate
Heat Exchanger and Buffer Storage
- Dimensions (W x D x H in mm): approx. 1,100 x 800 x 1,980
- Weight: approx. 80 kg