The performance simulation of all-glass vacuum tubes with coaxial fluid conduit

A numerical investigation has been carried out for a solar system, which consists of all-glass (double skin) solar vacuum tubes. Water is heated as it flows through the coaxial fluid conduit inserted in each tube. The space between the exterior of the fluid conduit and the glass tube is filled with antifreeze solution. This is to facilitate heat transfer from the solar heated absorber surface to water and to prevent the functional problems due to freezing in frigid weather conditions. Results show good agreement when compared with other experimental data demonstrating the reliability of the present model. The one-dimensional numerical model could be used efficiently in designing all-glass solar collector tubes with different geometrical parameters other than those considered in the present analysis. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.