A membrane-enabled solar heat pipe for solar thermal water heating

A membrane-enhanced solar heat pipe loop is presented. The device enables heat transfer between an elevated and low-lying area using a membrane-enabled mechanism. A working solution is vaporized in solar collectors, producing vapor which carries thermal energy to a heat exchanger. Condensed fluid moves through a forward osmosis process back into the solution. Forward osmotic pressure enables potentially long range recirculation. A computational model is developed which illustrates the function and design requirements of the system. A small laboratory model is constructed. The laboratory model exhibits 68% operational efficiencies and delivers an estimated maximal wattage of 94.8W. Forward osmosis was measured at 0.605 ± 0.31 mL/min, enabling an energetic return of 23.19W. Two such membranes are required to service the laboratory model, allowing for nighttime recharge. A membrane-enhanced solar heat pipe loop is presented. The device enables heat transfer between an elevated and low-lying area using a membrane-enabled mechanism. A working solution is vaporized in solar collectors, producing vapor which carries thermal energy to a heat exchanger. Condensed fluid moves through a forward osmosis process back into the solution. Forward osmotic pressure enables potentially long range recirculation. A computational model is developed which illustrates the function and design requirements of the system. A small laboratory model is constructed. The laboratory model exhibits 68% operational efficiencies and delivers an estimated maximal wattage of 94.8W. Forward osmosis was measured at 0.605 ± 0.31 mL/min, enabling an energetic return of 23.19W. Two such membranes are required to service the laboratory model, allowing for nighttime recharge.