Industrial

Industrial and Process Heating with Solar Energy

Solar energy is the cleanest, most abundant, renewable energy source available. Today's technology allows us to capture this energy by utilizing both heat and light of the sun.

Solar Infra Systems International Ltd. uses solar energy to heat air and water. We bring totally new features to a technology that is cost efficient, practical, and adaptive. Simply put, “it works and pays for itself”.

Solar Infra Systems International Ltd. has patents and technology to manufacture and sell solar thermal products in Canada, the United States, and global locations that can support this technology market. We are looking for international partners.

Key Features

The unique feature of SIS thermal collectors over current market products is that the collector bank is portable and is shipped assembled to the site and not site built and assembled. This is a major cost factor in commercial/industrial sized solar thermal systems. Large SIS solar air and water heating systems are modular and components can be changed or added to suit the application. They are primarily engineered systems.

Another feature is that the patented three dimensional SIS thermal heat collector projects more solar collector area in a smaller area than wall type existing collectors. In comparison of 139 m2 (1500 sqft) flat collectors, the building mounting surface area is also the same. The SIS collector bank takes up 24m2 (256 sgft) of building area. This is 98% less than wall solar heater competitors and creates better building and industrial mounting solutions.

SIS systems use networks to monitor and control/adjust the solar-thermal systems, as an operating component for commercial and industrial installations. A computerized solar-thermal control system, controlled and adjusted remotely through internet connections, adjusts the process to suit daily local weather conditions. Recording site operating conditions for heating and processing adds data to operating and application knowledge. Because they are modular designed, the heating capacity and air flow can be changed after installation.

• Models cover the residential, commercial and industrial applications with little or low installation costs. The systems are also portable.
• Systems designed to add heaters or remove heaters to adjust performance in air flow and temperature rise.
• High solar efficiency and solar heat collection per area compared to current Solar Air Heating (SAH) products.
• Units can be connected together to cover larger surfaces and increase solar heat. Collectors can be tilted to suit the sun angle in any location.
• A Solar Infra-System can be mounted horizontal, vertical, on a wall, sloped roof, etc. and still operate efficiently.
• ASolar Infra-System is the only SAH device than can use heat convection to circulate air without fans. Photovoltaic  panels can also be used with built-in fans and eliminate electrical services. Ideal for cottages, “off the grid”, and remote locations.
• Commercial and industrial applications make low-cost leasehold improvements to reduce operating costs in buildings and warehouses.
• SIS solar heater models do not block sunlight. Some models have clear film glaze on both sides and are suitable for most greenhouse applications.
• Many agriculture applications. Crop drying, silo heating, heating animal buildings, range structures for winter animal containment. Keep drinking troughs from freezing in winter.
• The SIS heater is the only Solar Air Heating (SAH) device that heats water and air at the same time.

SIS Modular Designs for Commercial and Industrial Systems

This modular industrial air and/or water heater is designed in a self-supporting frame.  The size of 7ft x 16ft is easy to ship and handle.

Figure 1:  Setup air flow and water testing in a horizontal orientation. The solar heater is an aluminum channel design and can be custom sized in air/liquid flow to suit an installation.

Figure 2:  shows a set up where the solar heated air is recirculated back through the solar heater to increase the air temperature and transfer a higher conductive heat to the liquid tubing in the heater.
This modular unit has 35 sq meters (376 sqft) of solar conductive collectors.  91m (300ft) of corrugated stainless tubing transfers heat to the liquid. (50gpm at air flow of 500cfm)

Multiple Module Solar Heater Bank

An example of the SIS industrial system used in a multiple module bank to heat water for washing or process. A modular heater bank can be set up with piping in parallel (300gpm) or series (50-100 gpm) for higher heat gain. The recirculating air flow ducting could also be connected to a building to supply heated solar air to the building and use the building air to heat the water, or use the stored hot water to heat the building air for night operations.

 

High Capacity, High Temperature rise, Solar Air and Fluid Modular Systems

for Agriculture, Work Camps, and Industry

Another variation of Fig.3 where a bank of SIS solar heaters are connected inline in parallel to provide freshly heated solar air to a process or building.

Greenhouse Destratification System

In any building heating system, the lighter heated air rises and stratifies into relative temperature layers, approximately 1degree °C per meter (1.8°F per 3 ft) of inside height of the building. Ceiling fans must use this lighter hot air to drive the rising cooler, heavier destratified air back down into the work space. An inefficient operation.

In a SIS destratification system, the cooler floor air of the greenhouse is recirculated into the ceiling and mixed with ceiling hot air. This heavier mixed air falls through the stratified temperature layers, mixing, and creates an even temperature throughout the building envelope.

The SIS system also uses cooler, solar-heated air to mix with the ceiling air to destratify the building and reduce heating energy costs. Reducing the ceiling temperature also reduces the heat loss through the roof of the greenhouse.

Dampers on the SIS system plenums provide adjustment to mix greenhouse recirculated air with fresh outside air and use solar energy to heat the flow. A SIS top plenum summer bypass damper provides fresh unheated day or night air to be circulated in the greenhouse. The SIS collector bank is self-supporting, 50% transparent to sunlight, and can be the south wall of a greenhouse

The SIS system can also heat water at the same time as air heating. This reduces the water heating system energy costs. SIS also has a computer operated control system that monitors temperature, humidity, and airflow that can monitor and adjust growing conditions. The greenhouse is pressurized by the SIS system and this keeps out nits and harmful insects.

Figure 6: Tunnel Greenhouse Heating System

The solar heating system can be installed without interfering with the growth cycle in the greenhouse. Energy savings can be 40-60%, depending on the weather. PV panels can supply power to the recirculating fan; ideal for small remote greenhouse operations. Solar heated water storage drums adds heat for night operation.

United States Patent 8,863,741

Want to know more?:

Solar Air Heater Applications:

Large Building Rooftop Heater Systems

Silo Drying Systems

Fruit and Crop Drying Systems

Heating Process for Hot Water Wash

Let us work with you to analyze your solar thermal application to see if it is feasible in investment and performance.

Contact:
Harley Kelsey, P.Eng.
Vice President
harley@solarinfrasystems.com
Solar Infra Systems International Ltd

Please call us Toll Free: 1(855)535-2056 to discuss your requirements.