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What is flexible pipe for solar installations?
Stainless steel pipe manufactured into a flexible format. Suitable for high temperatures, and flexible to allow the installer to fabricate a flow and return to the equipment used to circulate and store with minimal losses. If possible all in one section to eliminate leakage, either at point of installation, or later in the systems working life.Solar Products
Stainless Steel Flexible Pipe Systems for Solar
Making the connection between the solar collector on the roof, and the system below creates different set of problems for the installer. Yes, it can be achieved by simply using copper tube, but the high temperatures achieved (therefore traditional soft solder joints should not be used) difficult sets and bends required, and installation time are all factors.
The generally accepted method is to use a flexible, high temperature stainless steel pipe system. This can be used to enter the internal roof space to accommodate an easier connection to the copper flow and returns, or carry the fluid medium direct to the pump station (by far the easiest and most efficient method.
The most common type of SS flexible pipe is of an 'Annular' design, i.e., the corrugated form allows flexibility. The more efficient design is however 'Helical', where flexibility is achieved by using a spiral configuration. This eliminates the dead flow areas in the pipe created by the corrugations, and significantly increases achievable flow rates through the pipework, the benefit of which is the pipe can in some cases be of a lesser diameter. The other benefit is that a range of fittings can be used if necessary to make connections between the pipes, and eliminate the requirement for special tools to make flanged joints.
A one piece pipe run between the collector and the pump station removes the risk of leaks, either at time of installation, or later, when pipework has settled or undergone system expansion and contraction.
The pipe can be supplied in coils, or in pre-insulated twin pipe packs to set lengths. Being pre-insulated also offers other benefits, which can only be appreciated by those who have spent frustrating hours labouring on pushing metres of pipe through long lengths of this specially designed lagging which is specified for Solar installations.
Also note that the lagging should have additional attributes for above roof – weatherproofing and a surface that will deter birds from causing damage (they sometimes see this insulation as suitable nesting material)
A full range of fittings is available for both helical and annular pipe.
Intaeco provide a full range of fittings for its annular pipe systems in DN16, DN20 and DN25 to enable the installer to make the required connections between system components.
The first principle in making a connection on to annular pipe is to make a ‘nut’ on to the pipe which can make a pressure and temperature tight seal on a flanged joint. The 'flange' is fabricated by compressing the end of the pipe into a flat surface, forming the seal by means of a fibre washer.
This flat seal will then mate with the brass 'solar pipe' couplings, which are manufactured with broad 'flat face' ends.
The making of this flange on the pipe can be accomplished by 2 methods. You can use the fitting itself to compress the end of the pipe into a flat flange, or you can use a solar installers 'flanging tool'.