Solar Heat Exchangers

A Solar Heat exchanger is an effective way to transfer heat between two different liquids.  The liquids can have different physical properties such as water and glycol or they can need to be separated because of different operating pressures.  Whatever the reason a Plate heat exchanger is one of the most efficient means of transferring energy with virtually no heat loss. 

A Solar Plate heat exchanger is specially composed of multiple, thin, slightly-separated plates that together form a very large relative surface areas and alows more fluid flow passages for heat transfer, which is ideal in a solar heating system.  The stacked-plate arrangement can be more effective, in a given space, than most other type of heat exchangers. Solar Plate Exchangers have a specially pantented "waffer" stamps that increase the heat transfer making them ideal in solar application which have smaller flow rates than other applications.

Our SOL line of solar heat exchangers come in single wall and double wall versions.  Some codes require double water heat exchangers with visible leak detection for potable domestic water.  We also offer our larger "M" line that have more plates and higher BTU transfer rates for larger or commercial systems. 

For Solar Pool Heat Exchangers visit our stainless steel "Tee" line of solar pool heat exchangers below.

The higher the differences in temperature between the two mediums, the greater the heat transfer. The physical direction of a solar heat exchanger is opposite to what most people would imagine.  This is because of a phenomenon known as Counter Current Flow.  Hot and cold fluids running in the opposite directions are nearly 50% more effective than if the fluids ran in the same direction (concurrent).  This is why on solar heat exchangers the hot and cold enter from opposite ends.  See below.

SOL-Line of Solar Heat Exchanger

 

 Download Solar Heat Exchanger Technical Specifications

 

Heat Exchanger Dimensions

General Specifications

Overall Dimensions (WxH)	3” x 8”
Port Connections	3/4” female NPT (1"  FTP for "M" line)
Design Pressure	435 PSI
Design Temperature	302 °F
Plate Material	Stainless Steel
Brazing Material	Copper

 

 

Pool Solar Heat Exchangers

Because of the added chlorine and bromine found in pools and spas, flat plate solar heat exchangers are not suitable.  A Special high flow pool heat exchanger should be used instead.  These heat exchangers can handle the high levels of chlorine and also have better flow characteristics making them ideal for solar pool heating or solar hot tub heating.  For applications that use salt water, we recommend the titanium version of the solar pool heat exchanger (call for pricing).   This version is highly resistant to salt water.

 

Benefits of Solar Pool Exchangers

Our Solar Pool Exchanger Line of heat exchangers are designed to perform at high fluid velocities with low pressure drops.
The have a helical coiled tube design that makes it distinctive from other shell and tube heat exchangers on the market today. This unique design enables efficient heat transfer performance, and allows for diversity in its applications.

To maximize the performance of the Solar Pool exchanger, the product should be installed in a counter-current flow method, as shown below in Figure 1 below. The hot, or heating, fluid flows through the tube side. The cold, or heated, fluid flows through the shell side.

Example: for swimming pool applications, the pool water is to flow through the shell side, and the boiler water is to flow through the tube side.

 

Solar Pool Heat Exchangers  come with mounting brackets to assist in their installation and ease of use.

The Pool Exchanger design parameters are:

Shell Side Pressure: 60 PSI (4 bar)

Shell Side Temperature: 140 F (60 c)

Tube Side Pressure: 150 PSI (10 bar)

Tube Side Temperature: 250 F (120 c)

Please DO NOT exceed these design parameters. Failure to adhere to these parameters may result in equipment damage and/or personal injuries.

The Pool Exchanger Construction Materials:

Items	Component	Qty	Material
1	Helical Tube Bundle	1	Titanium or 316L Stainless Steel
2	Shell	1	Unplasticized Polyvinyl Chloride (PVCU)
3	Head	2	Polyphtalamide, 40% Glass Fibre
4	Shell Gasket	4	Nitrile / EPDM
5	Nozzle Gasket	2	Nitrile / EPDM
6	Tightening Nut	2	Plastic
7	Support Bracket (pair)	1	Plastic

The helical tube bundles are available in both Titanium and 316L Stainless Steel. Stainless steel tube bundles should not be used in applications that involve high levels or sea/saltwater. The Titanium tube bundles are recommended in these cases.

 

 

Operating Specifications for Solar Pool Heat Exchangers

MODEL	Normal Capacity		Hot Water				Cold Water
			Flow Rate		Pressure Drop		Flow Rate		Pressure Drop
	kW	Btu/h	l/min	USGPM	kPa	Psig	l/min	USGPM	kPa	Psig
Stainless Steel Models
T110S	29	98,000	22	5.8	11	1.6	250	66	9	1.3
T220S	57	195,000	30	7.9	28	4.1	300	80	19	2.3
Titanium Models
110Ti	29	98,000	22	5.8	11	1.6	250	66	9	1.3
220Ti	57	195,000	30	7.9	28	4.1	300	80	19	2.3

Applications

T110S is a smaller solar pool heat exchanger that is typically used in conjuntion with an existing pool heater and solar.  This unit will do a good job of maintaining the water temperatures initially supplied by an auxilliary heat source such as a gas heater

T220S is a larger solar pool heat exchanger that can be used with a larger solar system as the primary heat source.  Sizing the pool collectors is important for proper operation of a solar pool heater. Call us to discuss the sizing 1 800 317 9054.