5.5. Summary and Final Tasks

Summary

The main function of the thermal fluids is moving heat from the collector to the point of demand in STE systems. Solar thermal heat transfer fluids come in all types and densities (as opposed to shapes and sizes, since that’s not really possible with a fluid). The properties of each fluid make some fluids better for certain applications than others. Sometimes it is a challenge to choose one fluid over another with seemingly equal tradeoffs between the various options. In the end, reliability and historical track records that reduce the risk associated with any single fluid option are typically what steers decisions in the end. As new fluids are researched and developed, we must push forward with systems that use the current state-of-the-art fluids that are proven already.

Please double-check the to-do list on the Lesson 5 Introduction page to make sure you have completed all of the activities listed there before you begin Lesson 6.