BTU Calculator for Solar Thermal Water Heater

AI Thread Summary
To develop a BTU calculator for a solar thermal water heater, the key equation involves calculating the flow rate in pounds per hour multiplied by the temperature difference between the inlet and outlet of the heat exchanger. The user has an internal heat exchanger and a flow meter with a pulse output, which will aid in the measurement. The volume of the exchanger can be converted from gallons to pounds, but the primary calculation focuses on flow rate and temperature difference. Using LabVIEW for data acquisition is planned for implementation. This approach will provide an accurate assessment of the thermal energy transfer in the system.
cwetteland
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
I am trying to develop a btu calculator for my solar thermal water heater. I would eventually like to use labview to do the acquisition. I have an internal heat exchanger and know the temperature before and after it enters the exchanger. I have a flow meter w/ a pulse output. What would the equation look like to do the calculation? Can I use the volume of the exchanger (approx 2 gallons) multiplied by the gallon to pound conversion, then multiplied by the flow rate over the period of the exchange?

Thanks


Chris
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
Welcome to PF.

It's flow rate in lb/hr times the temperature difference between the in and out of the heat exchanger.
 
Thread 'Where is my curb stop?'

Thread 'Where is my curb stop?'

My water meter is submerged under water for about 95% of the year. Today I took a photograph of the inside of my water meter box because today is one of the rare days that my water meter is not submerged in water. Here is the photograph that I took of my water meter with the cover on: Here is a photograph I took of my water meter with the cover off: I edited the photograph to draw a red circle around a knob on my water meter. Is that knob that I drew a red circle around my meter...
View full post »

Thread 'Questions about the Tesla turbine'

Hi all, i have some questions about the tesla turbine: is a tesla turbine more efficient than a steam engine or a stirling engine ? about the discs of the tesla turbine warping because of the high speed rotations; does running the engine on a lower speed solve that or will the discs warp anyway after time ? what is the difference in efficiency between the tesla turbine running at high speed and running it at a lower speed ( as fast as possible but low enough to not warp de discs) and: i...
View full post »

Similar threads

Calculating total heat transfer by solar water heater
Replies
2
Views
3K
What is the BTU load for a chiller to maintain a water bath temperature of 34 F?
Replies
9
Views
2K
Synhelion -- Using solar heliostat farms to create liquid fuels from Water Vapor and CO2
Replies
7
Views
2K
BTU transfer of stainless steel pipe
Replies
2
Views
8K
How Do I Calculate BTU Needs for Cooling an Enclosed Space?
Replies
1
Views
2K
How fast can you cool water, given a large enough area/run?
Replies
10
Views
3K
Efficient and Affordable Solar Pool Heating Solutions
Replies
14
Views
4K
As much steam as possible from engine exhaust gas + warm water?
Replies
25
Views
4K
Heat air, water and generate electricity from solar tubes.
Replies
3
Views
5K
Need a formula to calculate BTU loss in a pond.
Replies
2
Views
8K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top