Measurement of the collectors
The quantity of necessary solar collectors to heat a certain pool is measured based in the method of restoring the thermal losses. First of all, some days are necessary to heat the total volume of the swimming pool and then, after that, the system will be able to replace the thermal losses daily, keeping the swimming pool always warm.
For the right measurement of the pools one should take into consideration the following factors:
1 - Temperature of the pool
26ºc to 28ºc – pools for trainings – according to FINA – International Federation for Amateurs Swimmers
28ºc to 30ºc - swimming pools in clubs –
28ºc to 32ºc – swimming pools in residences and fitness centers
30ºc to 32º - pools for physiotherapy and SPAs.
2 - Kinds of swimming pools (closed, covered or opened)
3 - Utilization rates
4 -Time of utilization of the thermal cover
5 - Dimensions of the swimming pool (area and volume)
6 - Environment temperature
7 - Relative humidity
8 - Wind velocity
9 - Geographic orientation and the inclination for the installations of the collectors.
To facilitate and simplify the measurement of the solar heating system for pools (with an area of at the most 100 m2) ENALTER’s department of Heating Engineering developed a relationship between the area of the pool and the necessary collecting area for the heating. We can then get to the following equation:
Ac = Vp x R
Where:
Ac is the necessary collecting area
Vp is the pool volume
R is the constant multiplier
Example 1
Data
Kind of swimming pool – closed (indoors) – residential
Region: Belo Horizonte
Measures of the swimming pool:
Length=8m; width=5m and depth=1,0m
Solution:
Volume: 8 x 5 x 1 = 40m3
Observations:
The recommended relationships should take into consideration the use of the thermal cover during 8 hours daily. They are recommended for an inclination of the collector of 15º and the orientation of the solar collector to the real north in case of the south hemisphere.
In case of deviations of up to 45º, we should increase the collecting area in 15º. Over this values, please consult ENALTER’s Heating Engineering Department.
For swimming pools which have a surface area bigger the 100 m2, we recommend looking for ENALTER’s Heating Engineering Department.