Lämpökeräin

Lämpökeräin, also known as a heat collector, is a device designed to absorb solar radiation and convert it into usable heat. These devices are primarily used for heating water or air in residential, commercial, and industrial applications. The fundamental principle behind a lämpökeräin is to capture sunlight and transfer its energy to a fluid, typically water or a mixture of water and antifreeze.

There are several types of lämpökeräins, but the most common are flat-plate collectors and evacuated tube collectors. Flat-plate collectors consist of an insulated box with a transparent cover, a dark absorber plate, and fluid-carrying pipes. Sunlight passes through the cover and heats the absorber plate, which in turn heats the fluid flowing through the pipes. Evacuated tube collectors utilize a series of glass tubes, each containing an absorber tube. The space between the tubes is evacuated to create a vacuum, which significantly reduces heat loss, making them more efficient, especially in colder climates.

The heated fluid from the lämpökeräin is then transported, usually via pumps, to a storage tank or directly to a heating system. In a solar water heating system, the hot fluid from the collector heats the water in a storage tank, which can then be used for domestic purposes. For space heating, the hot fluid can be circulated through radiators or underfloor heating systems. Lämpökeräins contribute to renewable energy generation by harnessing solar energy, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and lowering greenhouse gas emissions. Their performance is influenced by factors such as solar irradiance, ambient temperature, collector design, and installation angle.