Thermal Images
Typical Tube Solar System
Water passing through a tube system at high speeds and pressure only transfers heat to the outside of tube (red & yellow section) due to the curve of tube which limits exposure to direct sun and the increased resistance of the tube wall also slows the speed of the water nearest the wall.
The greater quantity of water in the centre of tube (green & blue section) travelling at high speed and pressure cannot move to the outside resulting in faster water speed and a much slower heat transfer rate.
Result Low Efficiency – Larger roof area – Higher operating cost – Large capacity pump and motor.
X Flow Solar Panel
As water is circulated through the panel at a low speed and pressure it begins to turbulate transferring any heat collected from the panel to ALL of the water.
Result 1. The X-Flow panel system requires a lower volume of water at a slower speed and pressure , but unlike the tube system heats all the water circulated, reducing the operating cost by reducing the size of pump and motor for a separate solar pump or utilizing existing filter pump and motor.