Performance Characteristics and Design Criteria for the Thermic Diode, a Passive Thermosyphon Solar Heating System

摘要

A mathematical model developed into a computer simulation of the thermic diode is described. The computer model is divided into two principal sections that describe external and internal phenomena respectively. The timekeeping, data handling, calculation of solar angles of incidence on both horizontal and tilted surfaces, glazing effects, and simulation of the heating load are described. The modeling of the thermic diode includes heat flow calculations, and the derivation and solution of the partial differential equations in temperature. The validation of the model and comparison with active systems are discussed. The f-chart method used to determine the most economical number of thermic diodes to use in a building is described. Monthly and yearly results of computer simulations for periods up to a year are summarized. Simulations were carried out for different cities, and also varying design and system installation for a given city to detect effects on performance. (ERA citation 07:043026)