EESTC Equipamento de Energia Solar Térmica, Controlado por Computador (PC)

The Computer Controlled Thermal Solar Energy Unit, "EESTC", is a system that transforms solar energy into usable thermal energy. It uses the thermosiphon solar system to heat water or the traditional pumping system. In both cases, the absorbed thermal energy is given by the simulated solar radiation, in our case, it is done using a panel with powerful luminous sources.

The EESTC unit mainly consists of the following elements:

• Thermal solar collector.
• Accumulator tank.
• Solar simulator.
• Pumping system.

The solar collector is mounted on an aluminum frame and the fluid (water) flows through cooper tubes. It has been developed in such a way that the geometrical shape of the surface allows the most efficient absorption.

The accumulator tank is protected with an anti-corrosive material. It has a computer controlled heating element with a safety device to prevent over-temperatures.

Lamps of the solar simulator emit radiation similar to the sun radiation, which is measured by a radiation sensor. The light is converted into heat in the solar collector and transferred to the heat transfer fluid. Three different configurations can be simulated with the solar simulator: all the lamps are turned on, half of the lamps are turned on in zigzag, or only one lamp is turned on.

Besides, the unit includes a computer controlled pump to perform a forced convection of the heat transfer fluid through the accumulator tank.

The unit is fitted with sensors and meters to record the relevant parameters (temperature, flow and radiation) and are included safety valves for overpressure protection.

This Computer Controlled Unit is supplied with the EDIBON Computer Control System (SCADA), and includes: The unit itself + a Control Interface Box + a Data Acquisition Board + Computer Control, Data Acquisition and Data Management Software Packages, for controlling the process and all parameters involved in the process.