Solar Energy
Heat Transfer Fluids in Solar Energy Utilization
We get a lot of inquiries about using heat transfer fluids for solar applications. These phone calls and emails come from engineers, mechanical contractors, process designers project managers—and even homeowners.
We thought it could be useful to our web visitors to devote a web page to this topic, so here is a summary of the applications of heat transfer fluids in solar energy utilization.
Domestic Applications
Water/Water Glycol
Passive Solar
Passive solar systems are the simplest and least expensive alternatives for direct use of solar radiation for practical purposes. Passive systems rely on natural convection for circulation. Passive solar water heating (SWH) systems, the most commonly found liquid-based passive solar applications, generally use plain water as their circulating liquid.
Active Solar
In active (pumped) SWH systems, more often a separate loop containing a heat transfer fluid will transfer heat to the water using a heat exchanger. The heat transfer fluid in these systems is usually a freeze protected solution of a glycol and water, with a corrosion inhibition package. Non-aqueous heat transfer fluids, such as Paratherm LR, could also be used here. Contact Paratherm for details on advantages.
Power Generation and Thermal Storage
Heat transfer fluids are also utilized in solar energy generation, in concentrators such as parabolic, linear Fresnel, and trough-based systems. Several heat transfer media can be utilized, depending on the mechanical design and temperature requirements of the application.
- Water/steam is used in turbines for generating electricity.
- Molten salts, such as 60% NaNO3 and 40% KNO3 (220-600°C) for thermal storage
Synthetic/aromatic heat transfer fluids
- Liquid-phase only: Used to uniformly provide heat for steam in turbine generators
- Vapor phase: Used for generating electricity in turbines, similar to steam but with greater thermal efficiency
Polycrystalline silicon
Finally, high temperature heat transfer fluids are used extensively in the manufacturing processes for polysilicon, the material used to make photovoltaics, in a process similar to that used in production of computer chips.
Photovoltaic solar (PV Solar) panels are the familiar black panels with the bluish tinge, all solid state, that are placed on roofs and in deserts to generate electricity directly from sunlight. Probably the most familiar example is the solar patio light, which absorbs solar energy by day and then automatically lights path and patio by night.
The Polysilicon process which can consist of the Siemens Reactor process or Fluid Bed (FB) reactors, in which heat transfer fluids can be used in the purification phase to raise temperature of catalytic reaction to convert silicon tetrachloride (STC) to trichlorosilane (TCS). This phase can be referred to as the Hydrogenation phase of the process.
These units purify metallurgical grade silicon (MGS) to electronic grade silicon by hydrogenation of MGS and STC to make TCS. The resulting TCS is purified by crystallization and distillation. Heat transfer fluids are used in distillation process as well.
Other heat transfer tluids are also used in the cooling phase of polysilicon production, at low temperatures. The use of cryogenic-range heat transfer fluids such as Paratherm CR is beneficial in this phase. The fluid cools the molten silicon poured from crucibles into the molds making monocrystalline ingots for solar cells and photovoltaics.
Paratherm Fluids for Solar Applications
| Low Temperature Liquid | Heating & Cooling Fluid | High Temperature Fluids |
|
Paratherm CR®
Used in polycrystalline production |
Paratherm LR™
Alternative to glycol-based fluids |
Paratherm CR®
Used in polycrystalline production and thermal solar applications.
Used in thermal solar applications |
Paratherm Corporation does not manufacture, support, or distribute glycol-based heat transfer fluids, but we can recommend suppliers.
Contact Paratherm Corporation for more information about heat transfer fluids, fluid analysis, application assistance and system troubleshooting help.
Phone: +1 610-941-4900
Toll Free in the USA and Canada: +1 800-222-3611
Fax: +1 610-941-9191
Email: SEND EMAIL
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- Solar Hot Water Guidelines Certifications, equipment advice
The Engineers at Paratherm Corporation know chemical processing systems and applications as well as they know their fluids. Successful CPI processors are getting the most out of Paratherm and its superior products and engineering support.
Want a further taste of Paratherm’s expertise? Look at the menu bar on the right of this page, andclick on the TipSheet™ link. Here you’ll find brief technical notes about systems. TipSheets cover system safety, efficiency, contamination, tuning and trouble-shooting, starting up, shutting down, and more. Like what you see? Sign up and you’ll get these quick technical briefs every month or so via email—or RSS.
Paratherm heat transfer oils are stocked in 6 locations around North America (and 5 more around the world) so you can get them fast. Click on Availability to see where.
For comprehensive and accessible information, organized for quick and handy reference, click on Heat Transfer Fluids or System Cleaners on the navigation at the top of this page. Although heat transfer fluids and cleaners are what we ship to you, services are what we do for you. All day, everyday. Design assistance, thermal fluid analysis, applications support, preventive maintenance, and fast, attentive response to orders and other needs.
Paratherm has been developing new heat transfer fluid products since 1988—products that continue to improve the efficiency of thermal processing applications and product quality. Paratherm customers have learned to count on the safety and reliability of these safe, non-toxic, non-fouling fluids.
New stocking and shipping locations mean customers get the products they require quickly. And Paratherm’s commitment to applications and system support means they get the answers they need even more quickly.
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