New Solar Water Heating System: Safety, Design and Implementation Issues

Abstract

This paper presents a new electronic controller, devoted to solar water heating systems, that implements safety functions to prevent L. pneumophila bacteria outbreaks. The controller uses data retrieved from strategically located probes in order to implement the proposed safety actions. The electronic solution was integrated and validated on a solar system prototype bench that uses real equipment such as collectors, a water storage tank and expansion vessels. Moreover, two particular solar water heating installations were designed devoted to a house family and a nursing home both located on the Mealhada area. The methodology and reported technical solutions in this research could be a practical guide to promote mass market usage of the solar water heating systems in Portugal.