Optimal flow rate control in solar thermal system for domestic hot water preparation

Abstract

The paper deals with optimal control of flow rate in a solar thermal system used for the production of hot water. The main objective is to maximize the net savings from the plant obtained in terms of useful energy collected and cost of energy spent for pumping of the 
thermal fluid. It is in the above context that based upon the annual simulation performed using the controller introduced herewith (Byron Winn and Hull, 1979), an estimation of annual economic savings that an optimally designed flow rate controller can provide when compared to classic on - off control in climatic conditions of the Mediterranean countries, has been discussed in the present paper.