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Preliminary Research and Documentation

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Project Outcomes

The outcome of this project is to be able to efficiently collect solar thermal energy coming from the sun and store it in water storage tanks with minimal losses of heat at any point in the system. The best method may vary with geographic location (how close the user is to the equator) and other factors. We need to determine all of the elements that are needed for make this system work from start to finish with details for all of the parts in between.


Why This Is Important

Energy is the most limiting factor for a remote floating home. With limited energy it will be difficult to have a good quality of life when living on the ocean and our goal for living in a floating home is to have a higher quality of life and a better lifestyle than how you live on land. There are a number of energy technologies that are available including wind, solar electric, wave, currents, and many more. This project page is for building a highly efficient system for collecting solar energy in the form of heat and storing that energy in water. In essence, water is our battery. Once the heat energy is in water we can use the water for hot showers, hot water in the kitchen or bathroom sinks, and more importantly we will use it to turn a steam turbine connected to a generator to produce power. Solar electric cells have an efficiency rating averaging less than 20% and when combined with losses in batteries and other areas we are really not collecting a lot of power. There is over 1,100 watts of solar energy in the form of light hitting each square meter on the surface of the earth at the equator. With a highly efficient solar thermal system we can produce enough hot water for all our needs at a very cost effective price. In addition to hot water we will combine this system with a Steam Turbine Generator which we believe will be abe to far exceed the conversion efficiency of solar electric cells to usable energy. Solving the energy challenge will enable us to have Dynamic Positioning, electric stoves, air conditioning, and any other electric appliances we want without heavy restrictions.


Sponsorship

This project is sponsored by an anonymous donor. The prize will be held in escrow by Ocean Builders and released as each prize level is successfully completed.


Solar Thermal Collector Options
  • Copper tubes (possibly painted black)
  • Glass evacuated tubes
  • PEX tubing
  • research other options...


Evacuated Tubes System

Example of a complete system with evacuated tubes: https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Hot-sale-evacuated-tube-heat-pipe_60582023749.html?spm=a2700.galleryofferlist.normal_offer.d_title.662428deDG8gyQ. We definitely need an insulated storage tank and it appears that solar evacuated tubes are by far the most efficient (up to 97%) at collecting available sun energy. Here is a potential supplier to look at. We may want to find additional resources: https://zonyisolar.en.alibaba.com/?spm=a2700.details.cordpanyb.3.39f59497TE2m0M. The keywords to search for are "solar evacuated tubes". The components we may need are:

  1. Solar Thermal Collector
  2. Controller
  3. Storage
  4. Heat Exchanger


Some Information on How Evacuated Tubes Work

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Parabolic Mirror Behind Evacuated Tubes

We can experiment with parabolic mirrors behind the tubes to increase efficiency of each tube.

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Copper Pipe System

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  • We need to determine the ideal outer diameter for copper tubes and thickness of the tubes.
  • We need to determine if a transparent cover is needed over the tubes so that the wind does not cool the copper.
  • We need to experiment with painting the copper tube to see if it will increase solar heat energy absorption. See super black pain section below.


Thermal Storage

A properly insulated storage tank will act as a thermal battery. This can be used either for providing hot water for the kitchen & bathroom sinks, shower, bath, or solar turbine generator.

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Thermal Controller

We may need a Solar Thermal Controller (sample only, not a recommendation): https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/HWC05-new-solar-controller-for-controlling_62218275063.html?spm=a2700.galleryofferlist.normal_offer.d_image.5c971d56OLNclC.


Super Black Paint for Copper Tubes - General Info


Black Paint Suppliers


Evacuated Tube Suppliers

image-1615149005617.jpgHere are some sample evacuated tube supplies (not an endorsement and not an exhaustive list):


Project Prizes

Winner(s) for each level will be judged by Ocean Builders and the Sponsor.

  • Level 1: Submit a detailed outline of your proposal. The proposal should detail a realistic plan for the simplest, easiest, and lowest cost method of completing as much of this project as possible and a proposed timeline and cost estimates for various parts of the system and what external resources you would need help with which you cannot do yourself. Part of this phase may include research to determine the best thermal collection system for Level 2. Ideally we would want to be able to test multiple collector methods side-by-side to see which actually performs best in a working model in our use case. The prize for this level is set to $100 which will be paid by our sponsor in cryptocurrency to each team entry or to single-member applicants. Level 1 winners may be supplied parts to build Level 2. A maximum of 3 winners will be awarded at this level. Apply to participate in this project here (link not functional yet).
  • Level 2: Build or assemble a complete off-the-shelf solar thermal system including a variety of solar collectors that can be tested, thermal controller if needed, and a storage tank. The prize for this level is set to $850 which will be paid by our sponsor in cryptocurrency to each team entry or single-member applicants for the two best entries. Level 2 winner(s) may be supplied with parts to build Level 3. A maximum of 2 winners will be awarded at this level. This Level must be assembled on-site in Panama unless by special arrangement.
  • Level 3: Refine the overall system for higher efficiency. The prize for this level is set to $250 which will be paid by our sponsor in cryptocurrency to a maximum of one team or a single individual participant. This Level must be assembled on-site in Panama unless by special arrangement.
  • Level 4: Connect a heat exchanger that transfers heat to an ammonia/water solution in a separate tank. More details on this level will be provided later. The prize for this level is set to $250 which will be paid by our sponsor in cryptocurrency to a maximum of one team or a single individual participant. This Level must be assembled on-site in Panama unless by special arrangement.
  • COMPLETION BONUS: Up to $750 will be given as a bonus for swifty completing this project in the allotted time or for other reasons.


Project Management Page

Coming soon


Participants/Teams:

Applicants needed

Project Manager
Grant Romundt (temporary). The main project manager will be announced soon.


Related Project(s)

Turbine Generator


This project is being developed as an open-source project with the following licensing:

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