Abstract
The introduction of glass represented a significant step forward in the performance of solar capture technology. This simple structure allowed short-wave solar radiation to pass into the building space, whilst keeping the unwanted vagaries of the external environment out, such as rain, wind and snow. Once in the building the surrounding building structure increases in temperature through solar absorption, but due to the long-wave nature of radiation being emitted from these surfaces, the energy is trapped…. the classic ‘greenhouse effect’. The benefit of this ‘solar trap’ was not lost on the Romans, and many variations of the basic principle were incorporated into Roman buildings. The glazed caldarium is a good example of enhanced space and water heating design and a detailed understanding of solar interactions was demonstrated through adding darkening agents to floor surfaces to improve solar absorption and thus heat gain.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Similar content being viewed by others
Abbreviations
- A ap :
-
Aperture area (m2)
- a1 :
-
Thermal loss factor 1 (W/Km2)
- a2 :
-
Thermal loss factor 2 (W/K2m2)
- cp :
-
Specific heat capacity (kJ/kg°C)
- I ave :
-
Insolation (W/m2)
- F R :
-
Collector heat removal factor
- m:
-
Mass of water (kg)
- Qcol :
-
Thermal energy collected (MJ)
- Qstore :
-
Energy stored (MJ)
- T amb :
-
Average ambient temperature (K)
- T m :
-
Mean fluid temperature as a function of the insolation (Km2/W)
- T i :
-
Average inlet water temperature (K)
- T o :
-
Average outlet water temperature (K)
- U L :
-
Collector overall heat loss coefficient (W/K)
- ΔT:
-
Temperature change from initial conditions (K)
- ηcol :
-
Collection efficiency
- ηopt :
-
Optical efficiency
- τα:
-
Transmission absorptive coefficient
References
Bliss R (1959) The derivation of several plate efficiency factors useful in the design of flat plate solar heat collectors. Sol Energy 3:55–62
Butti K, Perlin J (1981) A golden thread. Marion Boyars Publishers Ltd., London, UK
Hottel H, Whillier A (1958) Evaluation of flat plate collector performance. Trans. conf. on the use of solar energy, Tucson, Arizona, USA, 2, pp 74–104
Kemp CM (1891) US Patent No. 451384, 28th April 1891
Mouchot A (1869) La Chaleur Solaire et Ses Applications Industrielles. Paris Gauthier Villar, Imprimeur Libraire, France
Norton B, Lo SNG (2006) Anatomy of a solar collector: developments in materials, components and efficiency improvements in solar thermal collectors. Refocus 7(3):32–35
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2011 Springer-Verlag London Limited
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Smyth, M. (2011). Solar Technology. In: Solar Energy in the Winemaking Industry. Green Energy and Technology. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-85729-844-7_3
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-85729-844-7_3
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, London
Print ISBN: 978-0-85729-843-0
Online ISBN: 978-0-85729-844-7
eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)