Solar themal piping [RE-wrenches]

[Jeffrey Wolfe, Global Resources]

What we've done is buried (or had the general contractor bury) an 8" storm 
culvert (plastic) from point ot point. The pipe usually enters a basement at 
one end (through side wall) and enters a dirt bottomed pit on the other end. 
(Could be more elegant). We then "solder and slide" pipe and insulation right 
into the culvert. Lets us put on lots of insulation, let's us install the pipe 
on our own schedule (we're not holding anyone up with an open excavation) and 
provides a way for water to drain away from the piping.

In my experience with large underground steam pipe systems, the key was always 
to keep the insultation dry, and IF it got wet, provide a method for letting it 
dry.

In answer to your original question about prefab systems,there are some great 
ones out there, but you pay through the nose. All the prefab 
residential "systems" I've seen are not worth the money, and do not match the 
integrity of any of the three systems described in previous emails.

Jeff

Quoting Tom Simko <tom at skylinesolar.com>:

> on 6/18/02 10:23 AM, Lawrence  Elliott at larry at energyoutfitters.com
> wrote:
> 
> > I have a  large Thermomax install coming up and need info on a source
> of
> > underground compatible piping.
> > I need to pump about 8 gpm underground for about 60 feet. Is there a
> > commercially available pipe system that is insulated or has someone
> > fabricated a suitable substitute.
> > Any references would be appreciated.
> > Thanks
> > Larry Elliott
> 
>  Larry,
>  Stick with copper pipe. Make a sandwich out of 2" blueboard type foam
> insulation, with a table saw cut V groove to center the pipe top and
> bottom,
> so that the 2 pieces of foam are touching when the pipe is inside the V
> grooved pieces, prepare the trench carefully, or better, get pea gravel
> or
> sand and level out the bottom, install the insulated pipe run, then
> more
> sand, then your dirt to grade. The sand can be eliminated if you have
> good
> dirt, I have rocks with some dirt. If you have foam left over throw it
> in
> the trench also, more can't hurt. My own thermal system pumps 75 foot
> underground, about 3 GPM, and has worked well for over 20 years.
> Checking
> the inlet and outlet temps (90 to 145 F) with the same test thermometer
> show
> no difference in temps, go figure.
> Tom Simko
> Skyline Solar
> Inkom, Idaho
> 
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