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BigV · 12-19-2006, 10:10 AM

Idea/question.

I read the article and I agree that capturing the radiation can heat the surrounding air. But if you wish to maximize the effect of the heating, why would you heat cold outside air instead of warmer inside air? Also, I would be very leery of chopping holes in the wall, *especially* to the tune of "...50% of the area of the collector is optimal..." Yikes.

So, I have a suggestion. Just as you can alter the airflow in your car from fresh to recirculate, why not consider making this design recirculate instead of fresh? Imagine this design viewed from the side. The letter S describes the path of the air where the intake is at the lower left hand corner, rising as it's heated to exit at the upper right and corner of my micro-ascii diagram. Imagine the new design following the path of the letter C instead. Now the house, still on the right hand side of the letter feeds the collector from the inside at the lower right hand corner, rises and reenters at the upper right hand corner.

I can see one potential problem here. Since the temperature difference between the air at the bottom of the room and the top of the room is likely to be less than the temperature difference between the bottom outside air and the top of the room, the vigor of the siphon could be less. I wonder though, if that would be offset by not having to heat the much colder air much more to make it "room temperature".

Another thought. With this program, you still have to chop holes in the wall. Yippee.

For that matter, what is the whole reason for this collector/project (the one the guy wrote up and yours, for that matter)? To make a passively powered air circulation system? If so, bravo. Very elegant. Or is it to heat the room? For that, why not just make a stinkin window? Wouldn't that collect the same amount of solar radiation? And give you a view to boot? You'd effectively be living in the collection space where he hung the black screens... where the air is warm.

What are you seeking, Griff?

12-19-2006, 10:10 AM	#6
BigV Goon Squad Leader Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Seattle Posts: 27,063	Idea/question. I read the article and I agree that capturing the radiation can heat the surrounding air. But if you wish to maximize the effect of the heating, why would you heat cold outside air instead of warmer inside air? Also, I would be very leery of chopping holes in the wall, especially to the tune of "...50% of the area of the collector is optimal..." Yikes. So, I have a suggestion. Just as you can alter the airflow in your car from fresh to recirculate, why not consider making this design recirculate instead of fresh? Imagine this design viewed from the side. The letter S describes the path of the air where the intake is at the lower left hand corner, rising as it's heated to exit at the upper right and corner of my micro-ascii diagram. Imagine the new design following the path of the letter C instead. Now the house, still on the right hand side of the letter feeds the collector from the inside at the lower right hand corner, rises and reenters at the upper right hand corner. I can see one potential problem here. Since the temperature difference between the air at the bottom of the room and the top of the room is likely to be less than the temperature difference between the bottom outside air and the top of the room, the vigor of the siphon could be less. I wonder though, if that would be offset by not having to heat the much colder air much more to make it "room temperature". Another thought. With this program, you still have to chop holes in the wall. Yippee. For that matter, what is the whole reason for this collector/project (the one the guy wrote up and yours, for that matter)? To make a passively powered air circulation system? If so, bravo. Very elegant. Or is it to heat the room? For that, why not just make a stinkin window? Wouldn't that collect the same amount of solar radiation? And give you a view to boot? You'd effectively be living in the collection space where he hung the black screens... where the air is warm. What are you seeking, Griff? __________________ Be Just and Fear Not.