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Products Overview
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Main Products: |
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Solar Attitudes
There exists a lack of belief in the effectiveness of solar
energy in northern climates, together with a lack of knowledge
about the performance ability of solar heating systems.
However, a recent independent survey, commissioned by the
Department of Tra de and Industry in England, did confirm
Thermomax's superior performance.
Systems installed since the early 1980s were performing
efficiently and are saving their users a substantial percentage
of their domestic hot water bill.
The strong commitment to clean and safe energy led to the
development of the Thermomax Solar Energy System, a major
technological breakthrough for solar water heating - a professional
system that actually works, even in Winter!
Environment
Many people already appreciate the need to reduce fossil
fuel emissions - particularly carbon dioxide. In north America
every kilowatt hour of electricity produces about 2.2 lbs.
of CO2. In most areas only $100 worth of electricity puts
well over one ton of CO2 into the atmosphere! |
(click
to go directly to
product details)
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Even natural gas (methane) will produce over seven tones
of CO2 annually from an average house, and because methane
is such a powerful greenhouse gas, tiny leaks in the system
pollute a great deal. Put another way, a domestic Thermomax
system annually prevents the equivalent pollution of one
car!
Payback
A solar heating system like this can pay for itself many
times over in its 20+ years of lifetime, depending on fuel
cost increases and adaptability towards using solar energy.
What else can you buy that even begins to pay for itself?
When looked at as a return on investment, a quality Thermomax
solar system is actually a far better investment than most
pension plans. The return on investment on a Thermomax system
is generally over 5% and it can be as high as 14%.
As utility prices rise the return on investment will rise,
increasing the original value. More importantly, you own
the system, therefore it can never be a bad investment!
You can even take it with you if you move!
System Design and Installation
Standard designs for Domestic Hot Water systems are available.
These vary depending on your location and whether the area
is liable to freezing. They can either use a Differential
Controller and an AC pump, or be stand alone "Off Grid"
systems. Ask us about custom designs for integrating solar
with woodstoves, hot tubs, pools, radiant heating etc.
A Thermomax solar heating system is easy to install and
a complete DHW installation can he completed within a day
or two. In fact, the collector is so light and modular that
it can be installed by just one person!
A specially prepared system pack is available for DIY installers.
The Thermomax installation manual is available in the
"Downloads" section. A 'help-line' service is also available
to all Thermomax customers.
Approvals
Thermomax solar systems have been tested and certified by
independent testing authorities in the United States, Britain,
Germany, Switzerland, Australia and Sweden.
What Do I Do Next?
Contact us to find the location of your nearest Thermomax
dealer.
Do this now and join the growing family of satisfied customers
enjoying the benefits of owning a Thermomax solar energy
system - The finest system in the world.
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Collector Description
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A Thermomax Solar Collector
consists of manifolds and tubes. The manifolds come in two
sizes that will accept up to either 20 or 30 tubes. Collectors
can be used individually or connected together for larger
systems.
Manifolds are supplied with roof fixing hardware (stainless
steel) for standard shingles (M), Mexican tile (K) and flat
roof or ground mount (F). |
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Mazdon Solar Collectors
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 The Mazdon Evacuated
Solar Collector is different from any other. It cannot boil,
freeze or corrode. It is lightweight, attractive, maintenance
free and even pays for itself. It performs well in all weather,
operates automatically and is totally safe.
The collector has a rigid marine grade stainless steel frame
with optional fittings for tiled or flat roof. Installation
is straightforward for both new building and retrofits.
Integration with an existing heating system is simple, and
a domestic hot water system can take less than two days
to install.
There are many features that set this collector apart. One
is the "heat-pipe" which is a super efficient heat conductor.
This provides a diode function and the important safety
protection against overheating. This is unique to Thermomax
manufactured collectors.
Other features enhance the performance of a Mazdon collector
in two unique ways.
First, the collector efficiency remains high in diffused
light (cloudy conditions). On an annual basis over 70% of
the available energy from the sky is converted into heat
regardless of the intensity of light.
Independent tests and investigations have shown that the
energy output of a Thermomax collector is two to three
times that of an equal size "flat-plate" panel on an
annual basis.
The second feature, and perhaps the least understood, is
the effect of suspending the selectively coated absorber
plate in a vacuum (rather like a Thermos flask). This prevents
any heat loss from the absorber plate (which converts the
energy to heat) to the outside.
Simply put, this collector can add heat to your hot water
tank even on a cold and windy day! The vacuum also safeguards
the collector against the effects of humidity and condensation.
Installation with a single high efficiency hot water cylinder
with twin coils is desirable, to reduce system heat losses.
A moderate sized Thermomax system can supply 60-70% of your
annual hot water requirements, with the remainder supplied
by a either a gas or electricity backup. These characteristics
combine to make a Thermomax installation a truly all weather,
year round system. Click
here for system animations.
Click here for the Mazdon Solar Collectors Specifications Table
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Solamax
Solar Collectors |
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 The
new Solamax system is a direct flow solar collector. It
is a simpler concept than the 'heat-pipe' collector, yet
has a performance efficiency considered to be exceptional.
Applications include domestic and commercial hot water supply,
swimming pool heating and industrial process heat.
The Solamax systems consists of a copper manifold and stainless
steel support with solar collectors tubes. Heat transfer
from the collector plate to the insulated manifold heat
exchanger is via a specially designed copper heat transfer
tube, through which solar circuit fluid is circulated. The
design of this tube incorporates a patented dividing strip
configuration, which separates the flow and the return of
circuit fluid through the solar collector tubes. The collector
plate and the heat transfer tube are vacuum-sealed inside
a glass tube. This provides exceptional insulation, whilst
assuring perfect protection against adverse weathering influences
such as humidity and pollution. High quality insulation
in the manifold ensures minimal heat loss. Each system is
secured to the roof by means of stainless steel fixing brackets.
In the case of a flat roof, a stainless steel frame is available
to fit the collector to an optimum angle.
The special construction of this collector enables it to
be fixed in any way best suited and required; on a slope,
upright against a wall or horizontal on a flat roof. The
clever design allows for individual solar tubes to be rotated
slightly (+/- 30°) to optimize solar collection.
Two sizes of collectors are available in arrays of 20 and
30 tubes. Tubes can be adjusted to face the optimum orientation
for maximum solar radiation absorption.
Complete kits for Domestic Hot Water installation will be
available from mid April 2003 utilizing a retrofit heat
exchanger that can install in a new or existing tank. A
small glycol tank, the pump and controller will be incorporated
into a single module and 50 feet of piping and insulation
supplied as well. This will be a “plug and play” system!
Click
here for system animations.
Special Features of The Solamax System
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The direct
flow concept permits installation either horizontally
or vertically, (see technical manual for clarification)
or at any required angle.
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High performance,
even in adverse weather conditions due to vacuum insulation.
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Ease of
installation - each tube can be installed individually.
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Minimum
maintenance requirement.
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High durability
and reliability, due to the high quality of the materials
used in the manufacturing process.
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Cost-effective
vacuum tube collector.
Click here for the Solamax Solar Collectors Specifications Table
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Tanks
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Made exclusively for Thermomax
Industries Ltd. by Advanced Metalpres Inc., these powder
coated, stainless steel SuperTanks are ideal for use with
Thermomax vacuum tube solar collectors, which are capable
of adding heat to a tank that is already hot, even during
cold or cloudy weather conditions.
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Retro-Fit Heat Exchanger
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 Wand Antifreeze to Potable
Water Heat Exchanger
This heat exchanger can be fitted into any new or existing
hot water tanks. This opens up solar hot water to many homes
where it might be impractical to change out the existing
tank.
The
Standard 1.2m (48 inch) long Wand has about 0.18 m2 (2 square
feet) of heat transfer area inside the hot water tank. The
Wand has a small diameter center tube, which delivers the
hot collector fluid to the bottom of the Wand, near the
bottom of the hot water tank. This tube is enclosed in second
tube (the first wall) and the hot fluid flow up the annular
space between the inlet tube and second tube. A third tube
(second wall) is spiral collapsed on the second tube, making
mechanical contact for heat transfer over about 60% of the
wall and leaving an air space. The third tube is vented
on top of the wand, so any fluid between the second and
third tubes is vented to atmosphere. This assembly is inserted
in the hot water tank by being screwed into the hot water
outlet port.
The wand is designed to meet the requirements of the AWWA
Class DWP (double wall with leak protection). Class DWP
“Provides two distinct walls which separate the transfer
medium from the potable water and a path to atmosphere.
Failure of either wall is indicated by visual leakage of
the transfer medium or potable water and indicates a failure
of the heat exchanger”. The DWP type provides a higher degree
of protection than the SW (Single Wall with no leak detection)
or DW (Double wall with no leak detection).
The solar Wand is designed so a single failure of any fluid
barrier will not cause a cross connection or permit back
siphoning of heat transfer fluid into the potable water
system. Any barrier, which fails, shall allow the discharge
of exchanger fluid and / or potable water to the atmosphere
at a location visible to the operator or owner.
Freeze Tolerance
Propylene Glycol-Water 50/50 -32oC (-26oF)
Propylene Glycol-Water 60/40 -48oC (-54oF)
Toxicity
The recommended heat exchanger fluid Propylene Glycol-Water
is non-flammable and non-toxic. Propylene Glycol is an American
Water Works Association (AWAA) Class II fluid. This means
that it has a Gosselin toxicity rating below 1. Class II
material are considered non-potable and may be objectionable,
but not dangerous to health. The normal system contains
between ½ to 1 gallon of fluid. It does not need to be changed
over the life of the system. Proper disposal is required.
Propylene Glycol-Water mixtures are recycled by service
stations and auto stores. Consult your local retailer of
auto antifreeze for proper disposal in your area. Leakage
or small spills can be absorbed with “kitty litter” and
put in the trash.
Contamination
The Wand heat exchanger meets the American Water Works Association,
Cross Contamination Control’s highest level of protection.
The Wand is an anti-siphoning device. The space between
the two heat exchanger wall, potable water and heat transfer
fluid is at atmospheric pressure. The potable water is usually
above 50 PSIG and hence will leak out of the tank. The heat
transfer loop is unpressurized, however, the pump may be
capable of producing the pressure of about 25 PSIG so fluid
would leak out to atmosphere.
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Installation Packages
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The Solamax Installation Package
has been designed to speed up installation of the direct
flow Solamax collectors and provide a simple, safe and reliable
way to install these collectors.
This system has a non-pressurised closed loop with a reservoir
to hold the propylene glycol. The kit is connected to the
Solamax collector, using pipe as small as 3/8"OD, and also
to the heat exchange in the tank. A pump circulates the
glycol through the collector and heat exchanger transfering
the heat from the collector. A solar controller switches
on the pump when it is hot at the collector.
When installation is complete, fill the reservoir with glycol
and turn on the controller. The pump will purge the system
of air and the system is complete. In the event of the pump
going off through the day, the glycol will expand from the
collector through the heat exchanger and into the reservoir.
When the pump starts, the system will re-purge and return
to normal operation.
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Accessories
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Low Power Pump
The emphasis is on passive heat transfer, minimizing
controls and pumps, but where these are necessary using
very low power pumps suitable for "off grid" installations.
Those "on grid" can enjoy the security of battery backup.
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About Instantaneous Gas Heaters
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