Re: Hemispherical Solar Concentrator?

From: Georgie Hinklemyer <samoolives_at_yahoo.com_at_hypermail.org>
Date: Sat, 12 Jun 2004 08:12:38 -0000

--- In OliveStarlightOrchestra_at_yahoogroups.com, David Coons <yahoo_at_a..
.> wrote:
> Best thing Susan and I found for pool heating was a *dark* blue
> pool cover

I concur. With only half a pool cover (ours tore a year or two ago),
there are noticeable thermal "bands" in the pool. Until you swim
around and it all mixes up. When we had a full cover, it sometimes
got TOO hot in the summers. Then we'd leave the cover off at night.
(No insulation/cover allows the water to cool off a bit.)

>
>
> Richard Conner wrote:
> > Hmm... interesting ideas... how about a little more details -
> > I was thinking I'd use a half an actual sphere so that focus
should be
> > at a constant point within the device without needing to adjust
for
> > sun tracking

Yeah, solar heating works ok without tracking, but it's a lot better
with tracking.

I didn't realize you were after something useful here. You may want
to try an array of relatively shallow parabolas. (Shallow, to allow
more sun collection. As the sun moves, the cup edges will shade part
of the inside.)

Are you thinking of floating this thing directly on the pool surface,
for best efficiency? It may become too much when it gets really hot
outside. On the other hand, in winter time... Not to mention your
parabolic raft doesn't have to be too big if you've got the water
circulating well.

On the third hand, D.C.'s got a point: blue bubble-wrap pool covers
are certainly cheap enough.

>
> > -- or I could just be smoking crack. :-)
>
> Richard, I think it's time you shared with the group.
>
> dc
No comment.
Received on 2004-06-12 01:12:39