Solar heat collector panel for drying hay - uses absorber plates with granular coating and optional slots for heating air

摘要

The heat collector panel for a solar heating unit which heats air for drying hay can be erected in a favourable position in e.g. a field. Between a base plate (3) made of insulating material and a transparent cover (4) is mounted an absorber plate (11) which can carry a diffuse coating (12) on one or both sides. The heated air passes along a channel (15) under the absorber plate. This coating may be of blast furnace slack, broken coke, gravel, iron or aluminium swarf or filings, grinding powder etc. One or both sides of the plate can be blackened or metallic. The plate may also incorporate a regular pattern of slits, with their edges bent outwards to form jet openings for the air flow.