Comparison of Collecting Performance according to Contact Types of Heatpipe in Vacuum Tube Type Solar Collector

In this study, it was compared collecting performance according to contact types between heatpipe and manifold of vacuum tube type solar collector. Between two types, direct contact type is better in collecting performance. On the other hand, Indirect type have advantage in maintenance. In the result of numerical analysis, As the temperature of heatpipe and flow rate of working fluid increased, difference of outlet mean temperature of two types became large. Also, it could be confirmed, as contact resistance between heatpipe and copper tube in indirect type increased, the difference increased too. Useful data in selection and design in vacuum tube type solar collector were proposed by the results of numerical analysis.