Work

Modular Dual-Circuit Indirect Heating Solar Thermal Installation with Flat Collectors, Plate Heat Exchanger, and Battery Tank

Year: 2026

Type: conference-paper

Abstract: This paper presents a modular dual-circuit solar thermal system featuring flat-plate collectors (2–10 m2) and a plate heat exchanger. The study evaluates system performance using a water–glycol coolant under differential and VFD control (maintaining ΔTset = 10 °C). Comparative analysis shows that switching to VFD control increases annual thermal output from 7.6 to 7.8 MWh and improves average collector efficiency to 0.42. Simultaneously, pump energy consumption drops from 160 to 110 kWh/year, while the number of start-ups is nearly halved. The results confirm that VFD control enhances energy efficiency and extends equipment life under variable solar radiation conditions.

Source: International Conference on Nuclear and Renewable Energy Resources (NURER)

DOI: 10.3390/engproc2026160035

Authors: Murat Kunelbayev, Gulnur Tyulepberdinova, Gulshat Amirkhanova

Institution: Al-Farabi Kazakh National University

Language: English

Topic: Solar Thermal and Photovoltaic Systems

Subfield: Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment

Field: Energy

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Affordable and clean energy, Industry, innovation and infrastructure, Climate action

Open Access status: hybrid

Funder: Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan