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MAKING THE MOST OF
SOLAR TECHNOLOGY
A primary store is essential for
efficient alternative energy use because it becomes the heart and brains of
the solar heating system. This is possible because water goes in and out
from the solar panel as well as in and out to provide domestic hot water and
HEATING.
The Torrent Solar system is therefore
able to fully control the input and output of energy, from the conventional
boiler and the solar energy source, optimising usage within the system as a
whole.
Torrent Solar can be supplied as a
primary store with sensor 'pockets', to enable the installer to provide
their own control system or it can be supplied with Gledhill's advanced
controller.
This controller is complete with all
sensors and has the ability built into its microprocessor to monitor and
control the input from either energy source, taking into account the
domestic demand, and to initiate boiler back-up if this is required. The
programme will assess the rate of change of energy within the store and then
supplement the energy flowing from the solar panel by firing the boiler if
needed.
Torrent
Solar provides:
• Mains
pressure hot water giving 'power shower' performance
•
Up to 25 litres of hot water per minute filling a standard bath in 3-4
minutes
•
A dry roof space, eliminating the risk of freezing pipes/tanks in winter
•
Increased system efficiency, reducing running costs
A
simple, safe solution
Although
Torrent provides high flow rate domestic mains pressure secondary water
through a coil heat exchanger, the primary side is vented. It is therefore
particularly easy to use with an input from a solar heat source since it
does not require specific safety interlocks or pressure and temperature
relief valves.
The fault diagnostics can interpret the performances
in the whole system because it is the brains and the heart of the operation
and all domestic functions flow from and return to the store.
And, from 2006, the controller will have the
capability to incorporate a 20 character panel so that the diagnostics can
be shown in 'plain English'.
An
economical solution
There is no requirement for an annual service which
can save more than £100 a year when compared with an unvented cylinder and
there is no
P & T valve to run to ground, adding to its
attractiveness in apartments.
Torrent is manufactured in accordance with the
Quality Management System ISO 9001:2000 accepted and audited by the British
Standards Institute and complies with the current Water Regulations and Part
L of the Building Regulations.
When solar energy is available and the solar pump is
activated, the Torrent is heated when a temperature measured at the take off
from the panel is
appropriately higher than the set point in Torrent.
The ultimate temperature in the Torrent is limited by an electronic limit
thermostat within the unit. The solar heat exchanger in the Torrent is
located in such a way that even small amounts of heat from the panel can be
utilised.
The significance of the Torrent primary store is
that water pre-heated by the panel, even in Autumn, Winter and Spring can be
fed through a conventional gas or oil fired central heating boiler and this
limits the energy required for heating. Direct hot water is always
immediately available to be drawn off and takes benefit from solar input
whenever it is available through the very high efficiency heating coil in
the normal way. If large volumes of direct hot water (DHW) are drawn off the
programme will assess whether the conventional boiler needs to fire to
ensure ultimate customer convenience.
Long life
The thermal store is
manufactured from copper sheet to BSEN 1653:1998. The computer designed heat
exchangers are produced from finned tube and incorporate a patented
expansion chamber which is sealed for life. The units are tested
hydraulically and pneumatically both during and after manufacture.
Low
cost installation/maintenance
Easy to install
Torrent Solar can be fitted to existing systems, including the existing
boiler and controls, where appropriate. Unlike unvented cylinders, Torrent
does not require expensive safety controls or the need to plumb temperature
and pressure relief pipework to outside.
External expansion vessels are not required and
wiring is the same as any traditional Y,S or W plan system. Torrent thermal
stores do not require any annual maintenance.
The
safety of a traditional system
BS6700:1997 states
that in unvented cylinders, the "maintenance and periodic easing of
temperature relief valves is particularly important". This is a landlord's
responsibility in tenanted properties and annual checks must be carried out
by CITB trained persons or installers having G3 approval. As Torrent Solar
is vented and therefore inherently safe, it is not subject to Building
Control Regulations - thus simplifying system maintenance enormously for the
landlords or homeowners.
Cold and hot water distribution design - all models
TORRENT models
are designed to be fed directly from the mains. They fulfil the requirements
of Water Regulations and therefore do not require a check valve to be fitted
to the supply pipe. The performance of the TORRENT is directly related to
the adequacy of the cold supply to the dwelling. This must be capable of
providing for those services which could be required simultaneously and the
maximum demand should be calculated. TORRENT will operate at dynamic
pressures as low as 1.5 bar (at the appliance) which must be available when
local demand is at its maximum, but the preferred range is between 2 and 3.5
bar. As a general guideline, although a 15mm external service may be
sufficient for the smaller dwelling with one bathroom, a 22mm service is
preferred (25mm MDPE) and should be the minimum for larger dwellings. An
in-line scale inhibitor should be fitted in hard water areas, full details
are given in the Design & Installation manual supplied with all TORRENT
direct and indirect units.
Plastic
pipework - all models
This appliance
is suitable for use with plastic pipework as long as the material is
recommended for the purpose by the manufacturer and is installed fully in
accordance with their recommendations. |
|
Torrent
Solar
is the optimum way to upgrade existing, traditional hot water systems to
take maximum advantage of renewable energy. It is a safe, open vented,
highly insulated and efficient mains pressure system that does not require
expensive safety valves. Combined with Gledhill's unique, powerful
programmable controller and the SEDBUK A-Rated Gledhill HE Condensing Boiler
(if a replacement is required), Torrent Solar is the ideal solution for
maximising the efficiency of solar technology. |
