Web address: www.thermomax-group.com

Role and Contribution

Thermomax will be partner in this project and will contribute to the different stages of the proposed project as defined in the work program.

R&D activities and experience

For over twenty years, Thermomax has been a worldwide leader in the design and fabrication of superior quality solar energy thermal systems. Operating from two state-of-the art facilities in Bangor and Blackwood, the Thermomax team of experts is dedicated to meet today's energy needs while preserving tomorrow's environment. The plants are fully automated with specialised tooling for efficient and consistent production.

The renewable energy technologies are significantly more market-mature and ready for large-scale economic application than is commonly thought. Evacuated Heat Pipe Solar Collectors (Tubes) have been in production for fifteen years. They overcome the

g temperature in the Evacuated Heat Pipe Tubes is by the physical properties of the heat pipe fluid.

Thermomax's advanced evacuated "heat-pipe" solar collector is a breakthrough in solar technology. It is an efficient and durable solar energy system. It is effective throughout the year and saves its user a considerable amount in expensive fuels.

Thermomax's collector performs not only at noon or on clear sunny days, but also when the sun is low or the weather is cloudy. Wind or low temperatures have less effect on its performance. A Thermomax system is simple to install and easy to expand. There are no expensive fossil fuels to purchase. The fuel - sunlight - is free.

The quality and durability of Thermomax solar products have contributed to an unequalled history of achievements in the development and implementation of solar technology. This continues a tradition of innovation begun over four decades ago when NASA invented the Heat Pipe. Thermomax brings this superb technology to the market place as an economically competitive option for Solar Energy.

Thermomax Technology

Thermomax Evacuated Heat Pipe Solar Collectors (tubes) operate differently than the other collectors available on the market. These solar collectors consist of a heat pipe inside a vacuum-sealed tube. Each tube contains a sealed steel pipe, containing alcohol (heat pipe). The pipe is then attached to a black copper fin that fills the tube (absorber plate). Protruding from the top of each tube is a metal tip attached to the sealed pipe (condenser). These tubes are mounted, the metal tips up, into a heat exchanger (manifold). As the sun shines on the black surface of the fin, the alcohol is heated and hot vapour rises to the top of the pipe. Water, or glycol, flows through the manifold and picks up the heat from the tubes. The heated liquid circulates through another heat exchanger and gives off its heat to water that is stored in a solar storage tank.

The Electronic Division of Thermomax is committed to staying at the forefront of differential controlling and datalogging technologies by delivering innovative new products.

In the proposed project the following scientists from the staff of Thermomax will be involved:

Dr. Tommy Williamson, PhD MSc BSc (Technical Adviser) Research Physicist in Solar Thermal fundamentals.

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