This drawing shows the basic parts of your water heating system. A wooden framework housing a coil of flexible or bendable tubing, or lengths of rigid tubing connected by pieces of flexible tubing. The coil or tubes are connected to a reservoir of water. This drawing shows an entirely passive system; your system will have a solar powered pump submerged in the reservoir and connected to the coil or tubes which will force the water to circulate more rapidly through your system.
You have a number of variables to consider when designing your system. There are eight different coil types available. You can find a picture of each one on the Frames Images page, and a table with dimensions and materials on the Frames Description page. Decide how you would design a water heating system using the checklist below. You will share your ideas with your teammates at the beginning of Science Club to come up with the final design. We will assemble those final designs, then test them during the remainder of the meeting. The units will be heated by 100 watt incandescent light bulbs.
Proposal for Solar Water Heating System
Coil or Tubes in Framework Choice
1st Choice _______________________________________
2nd Choice _______________________________________
3rd Choice _______________________________________
4th Choice _______________________________________
Insulation Option (check all that apply)
____ insulation placed under the coil or tubes
____ insulation placed on top of the coil or tubes
____ insulation placed on the tubes connecting the coils
____ insulation placed on the tubes connected to the reservoir
____ insulation placed around the reservoir
____ no insulation
Transparent (clear) Plastic Sheet Option (check all that apply)
____ plastic placed underneath the coil or tubes
____ plastic placed on top of the coil or tubes
____ no plastic
Foil Option (check all that apply)
____ aluminum foil placed under the coil or tubes
____ aluminum foil placed over the coil or tubes
Black Tray Option (check all that apply)
_____ frame with coil or tubes placed into the black tray
_____ frame with coil or tubes placed on top of the black tray
_____ frame with coil or tubes placed underneath the black tray