Diseño y construcción de un calentador solar de tubos de vacío con una capacidad de 150 l/día de agua

Abstract

This research aims to design, validate, and assess the viability of a 150-liter solar water heating system, according to Ecuador's climatic conditions. The main characteristics of solar water heaters were identified, emphasizing their efficiency in harnessing solar radiation to achieve temperatures exceeding 40 °C. The design of the storage tank and piping was conducted using Engineering Equation Solver (EES) software, enabling detailed heat transfer analysis and minimizing thermal losses using suitable materials such as copper, PVC, and fiberglass. During testing, the system achieved average water temperatures of 41.55, 48.02, 49.49, and 49.98 °C, surpassing expected ranges and demonstrating high effectiveness. The solar collector's average efficiency reached 58.3 %, reflecting reliable performance in generating heat through solar radiation. Economically, the financial analysis showed the feasibility of the project, with an NPV of USD 156.52 and an IRR of 12%, exceeding the 8% discount rate. An estimated annual savings of USD 150 further reinforce the system's profitability and long-term sustainability as an energy-efficient solution.