Rörkollektorer

Rörkollektorer, often translated as pipe collectors or tube collectors, are a type of solar thermal collector used to absorb solar radiation and convert it into heat. Unlike flat-plate collectors, rörkollektorer typically consist of a series of parallel glass or metal tubes. Within these tubes, a fluid, often a mixture of water and antifreeze, circulates to absorb the heat generated. The tubes are usually vacuum-sealed, creating an insulating layer that minimizes heat loss to the surrounding environment. This vacuum insulation is a key feature that allows rörkollektorer to achieve higher efficiencies, especially in colder or cloudier conditions, compared to flat-plate collectors.

The design of rörkollektorer can vary, but a common configuration involves evacuated tubes, each containing an absorber plate or fin. Sunlight passes through the outer glass tube and strikes the absorber, heating the fluid within a heat pipe or directly within the tube itself. The heated fluid then flows to a manifold where it can be used for various applications. These applications commonly include domestic hot water heating, space heating for buildings, and in some industrial processes requiring low to medium-temperature heat. The modular nature of rörkollektorer also allows for scalability, making them suitable for both residential and commercial installations.