Where can I see my license number after the installation?TOP
Start Polysun and click on the ? – Info in the menu bar and then on the button License. You will now be able to see your registration details (name and address), your user level (Light, Professional or Designer) and your User-ID (UID). Memorize your UID for future reference or a possible new installation.
You will be able to install only one Polysun on your computer, that is only one Polysun subdirectory may be present in the directory ‘c:\programs\’ (usually the directory is named ‘SPF’ or in case of company versions with the name of the company). You will, however, be able to use several different licenses (SPF or company version / Light, Professional or Designer level) with only one Polysun installation. Possible additional licenses may be activated in Polysun after their acquisition by clicking on the menu lines Options > Add license. In case several licenses are activated on starting Polysun a mask will prompt the user to select the desired version and level.
How do I register my Polysun after the installation?TOP
The registration of the programme will require an activation code and a valid Internet connection. You will get your activation code (User-ID and e-mail address) via e-mail after the order. After entering this information at the fist start-up of Polysun a further dialogue window will be displayed in which you will be prompted to enter your personal details (e-mail address included). Please note that the registration confirmation will be sent only to the e-mail address entered in this window.
On start-up of Polysun the system will check for the availability of a new version. If an update is available an appropriate message will be shown on screen. Go through the following steps to update Polysun to the latest version:
* Close Polysun
* In the Windows Start menu click on Programs – Polysun – Polysun Updater
* In the Update menu download and install the appropriate update by clicking on the button Continue
Completing this procedure you will be able to take advantage of new features, templates and catalogue entries and rectify possible errors. The respective changes will be shown under Release Notes .
—> Instructions in Flash format
What do the terms project, variant and template mean?TOP
The term Project refers in Polysun to the location and the consumers of a solar system. The term also includes a number of different variants. A project may be created using the menu bars Project > New project or the Project assistant. It may be saved clicking on Project > Save project or Export project (available from the Professional level the function also exports user-defined catalogue entries).
The term Variant refers to all components and the connection of the solar system. A variant may be created by clicking on Variant > Create new variant (available from Designer level), Variant assistant or when a template is shown clicking on Add template to project. Each variant may be simulated independently and the related results shown on screen. A variant is always closely embedded in a project and may not be saved separately from it. Usually several variants are included in a project so as to allow users to carefully compare and improve them.
Polysun provides users with a wide range of ready-made Templates. The term Template refers (as does the term Variant) to a solar system. Templates may be imported in a project where they will be labelled as variants and accordingly modified and simulated.
How can I view the PDF report or the user manual?TOP
Adobe Reader must be installed on your computer to allow you to view these documents. Download Adobe Reader here and install it on your computer.
What is the difference between saving and exporting a project?TOP
If the user chooses to save a project that latter will be saved in a file together with all the related variants. Alternatively should the user choose to export a project all new user-created catalogue entries will be saved together with the project.
If you always run Polysun on the same computer it will be sufficient to save your projects. This also applies when your project includes user-defined catalogue entries. These will be read out of the catalogue when loading the project.
If you created a project including new catalogue entries and you wish to import this project to a different computer the project will need to be exported. This will ensure that all necessary information will be saved together with the project.
How can I change in a variant e.g. the tank volume?TOP
Essentially a double-click on a symbol in the variant will open an info dialogue box that allows you to modify the features of the relevant components. Within this dialogue box the user will be able to modify all features for the use of such components (for example the orientation of collectors). Features directly relating to components (for example type of collector) may be defined over the catalogue. A double-click on the catalogue symbol will open a catalogue dialogue box that allows the user to change the relevant catalogue values. In the Light level version of Polysun a simple click in the catalogue allows the user to select a different catalogue entry. Starting from the Professional level version the software allows the user to create a new entry with the desired values.
Select a tank with a different volume (LIGHT level version)
Double-click on the tank line in the info dialogue box
Select a new line in the catalogue dialogue box
Close dialogue boxes clicking on Accept and OK.
Define a new tank with a different volume within the catalogue (PROFESSIONAL level)
Double-click on the tank symbol in the variant
Double-click on the tank line in the info dialogue box
Click on the lower red button to copy the marked line
Enter a name for the new catalogue entry
Click on the lower red button to modify the marked line
Enter the new value in the volume columns
Close dialogue boxes clicking on Accept and OK.
What can be done if the project site is not included in the meteo database?TOP
The simplest thing to do is to choose a location nearby. In the sites table, it is possible to arrange the cities by longitude and latitude, and in this way you can find locations nearby. However, in most cases, it is better to define a new site (copy a line in the sites catalogue and specify coordinates and altitude > available starting from the Professional level). The meteorological data will be automatically interpolated from the data of the surrounding sites.
What does auxiliary heating mean and how is it used?TOP
In most cases solar systems are used as a back-up to conventional heating systems for water heating purposes. Whilst usually idle in the summertime auxiliary heating systems meet in the winter the larger share of the heating demand.
Auxiliary electric heaters are often times only used to reduce the use of boiler burners in the summertime. When a solar system is installed auxiliary electric heaters are usually dropped. In fact as electric power is expensive if compared to heating oil and gas users try at least to take advantage of more convenient off-peak electricity (this can be defined in the dialogue box). In Polysun auxiliary electric heating is implemented as an integral part of the tank whilst auxiliary heating with heating oil and gas appears as a separate component.
In Polysun operating hours and controllers may be defined just like in actual heating systems to the great possible extent. Controllers are used for this purpose (see below).
The amount of heated energy is defined as the «heated volume» times the difference between the temperature of hot and cold water (times the heating capacity of the fluid). The volume is defined by the overall content of the tank and the layer on which the electric heater is located.
Auxiliary heating may be controlled by means of two temperature sensors that may be placed freely over the electric heater. Cut-in and cut-off temperatures may be set separately (cut-in temperature should be, however, lower than the cut-off temperature). In the example the required hot water temperature is 50°C. Cut-off temperature should always be at least a few degrees higher than the former so that even after a few hours tank temperature will not drop too low. Finally electric heating will only come on when an outside temperature higher than 17°C is detected and, therefore, in the summertime.
Which parameters may be selected for the specification of collectors?TOP
Two different models allow to calculate the efficiency value of collectors. The standard model is used for flat-plate or tube collectors whilst the efficiency value of unglazed collectors is calculated by means of the unglazed-collector model. The latter will not be reviewed here; for further details please see the Polysun user manual.
Eta0 laminar
"Eta0 laminar" is the efficiency value of a collector operating at room temperature and in laminar flow conditions. Values of Eta0 laminar up to and of a2 refer to the aperture area of the collector and are determined at a radiation intensity of 800 W/m2.
Eta0 turbulent
The efficiency value of a collector operating at room temperature and in turbulent flow conditions.
A1 (without wind)
A1 coefficient for flat-plate and tube collectors measured with no wind
A1 (with wind)
A1 coefficient for flat-plate and tube collectors measured in normal ventilation conditions
A2
A2 coefficient for flat-plate and tube collectors
Dynamic heating capacity
Value computed pursuant to EN 12975-2
Nsis-Axis
The orientation (pipe curve at a 90° horizontal or vertical elevation) for tube collectors. Mostly irrelevant in case of flat-plate collectors.
IAM-Modell
The "Ambrosetti Model" is used to interpolate different flat-plate collectors. Tube collectors are interpolated by means of cubic spline.
Angle factors
IAM data are read over a table
Volume
Measured value of volume fluid volume in the collector inclusive of collector tube.
Internal diameter
Internal diameter of heat transfer pipes in the collector (used for pressure drop calculation purposes).
>Single pipe length
The length of a single heat transfer pipe in the collector (used for pressure drop calculation purposes)
Parallel piping
Number of parallel pipings in the collector (used for pressure drop calculation purposes)
Pipe roughness
Roughness factor relating to the inner side (used for pressure drop calculation purposes)
Linear from factor
The form factor of a pipe ranges based on bend radius between 1-1.5. The factor for rectilinear pipes is 1.
Friction factor
The friction factor refers to pressure drops in branchings, valves, etc. If not measured it will be set on zero
Test flow rate
Fluid flow rate during a test. In l/h and collector.
What are fluids and how are they used in Polysun?TOP
Polysun was designed so as to allow users to create the desired system layout by means of the available components. The first step of the simulation foresees hence a careful analysis of the system layout. The process includes in the sequence the identification of fluid domains and subsequently the identification of fluid loops.
Definition: The term Fluid refers to the fluid that circulates the different components and transports energy. As fluids often contain different substances Polysun includes a catalogue of main fluid components showing the pure substances (like, for example, water, ethylenglycol, propylenglycol) as well as a fluid mixture catalogue showing the fluids that are actually employed (like, for example, potable water, ethylene mixture, propylene mixture).
Definition: A fluid domain is a continuous hydraulic area permeated by a common fluid. A system typically consists of several different fluid domains. System components belonging to a defined fluid domain are circulated by the same fluid.
Definition: A fluid domain consists of one or more fluid loops. A fluid loop always includes a flow-rate producer. Results are given for fluid loops (not fluid domains).
The climatic characteristics of central Europe require solar systems to be able to withstand below freezing temperatures. This makes it impossible, for example, to produce the required amount of hot water directly in the collector. If pure tap water should freeze in the collector its expansion would destroy it. Normal tap water also shows a further disadvantage in that it may calcify the collector over the time.
For the heat transfer fluid to conform to the above-mentioned requirements the use of normal water mixed with a certain amount of glycol will be required. For this purpose in many cases ethylenglycol (for example Antifrogen L) or propylenglycol are employed as a frost protection agent. As the fluid circulates in a closed loop calcification problems are generally not an issue. As to the mixing ratio the following aspects will need to be considered:
The heating capacity of the fluid decreases as glycol concentration grows
Viscosity increases in case of higher glycol levels (pressure drop issue)
The freezing point sinks as glycol concentrations grow
The boiling point increases as glycol concentrations grow
Possible chemical processes, especially in case of transition of different metals, should be carefully taken into account
The fluid’s resistance to heat should be taken into account
Starting from a certain concentration freezing fluids no longer cause problems as they do not freeze into ice crystals but acquire instead a gelatinous-granular structure. An explosive effect may no longer intervene. The above effect may intervene starting from a volume proportion of 33 % (propylenglycol) or 38 % (ethylenglycol). Polysun allows the user to define glycol concentrations.
Three-way valves play a crucial role when it comes to the analysis of fluid loops. Three-way valves share the inflowing fluid-flow in a fixed proportion. The position of the mixing valve is adjusted by the controller. Based on the situation in the schematic system diagram the three-way valve alternatively distributes inflowing fluid-flows or brings together two separate fluid flows. The adjusted output is marked with x. If the signal of the controller is logically one the x output will be completely open. Both situations are schematically outlined in the following graph:
Logic relation to other controls
In case multiple controllers access a common output (and only in this case) it will be necessary to define which is the logical link between the different signals. In this case in particular the identification of clear controller priorities will be crucial.
The list shown in the controller mask restores the priority of all controllers. The relevant controller will be identified as «this controller». Selecting a controller within the list the relevant controller will be listed directly ahead of the remaining controllers. Should two controllers be linked special care should be paid to ensure these appear consecutively in the list and that the link option is selected for the latter of the two. Options are as follows:
And-Operation: if the current status is «on» and the relevant controller is likewise «on» the resulting status will be «on». When either status is «off» the output signal will be switched off.
Or-Operation: if the current status is «on» or the relevant controller is likewise «on» the resulting status will be «on». If both statuses are «off» the output signal will remain «off».
Exclusive-or-Operation: If the current status and the relevant controller are different the resulting status will be «on». If both statuses are alike the output signal will be switched off.
Priority of control
The list shown restores the priority of all controllers. The relevant controller will be identified as «this controller». Selecting a controller within the list the relevant controller will be listed directly ahead of the remaining controllers.
Why do flow rates not reach the design flow rate?TOP
All values shown in the graphical evaluation are hourly averages. The actual hot water demand with the respective design flow rate will be often obtained only for 10 minutes. That’s why hourly averages often lie below the design flow rate.
The graphical evaluation will be available starting from the Professional level version.
What does the message «No flow rate producer available» mean?TOP
Definition: A component is defined as a flow rate producer when fluid transport between component connections is determined through physical processes in the same components.
The following components are flow rate producers:
* Pump
* Boiler with inbuilt pump
* Hot water outlet (in which case a direct connection to the cold water outlet may be thought of to close the fluid loop).
So as to obtain defined conditions in all pipings across the hydraulic system flow rate producers should be carefully selected. In a first step Polysun analyses before each simulation the piping and the use of flow rate producers. If these have not been consistently selected the system will need to be reviewed paying particular attention not to use too many or too few pumps within a single loop.
It may happen that also on very fast computers some systems have very long simulation times. The numeric algorithm of Polysun is optimized for typical solar systems. A very slow simulation occurs in particular when some parameters have extreme values. For example, if a pump is under- or over-dimensioned, the consequence would be a slow simulation. Solution: begin with an existing template and don´t change too many values at the same time.
Why does Polysun use for the withdrawal volume a slightly too large value?TOP
It’s a matter here of a deliberately allowed rounding error. The reference amount will be tapped with the design flow rate and a variable duration. For this purposes time units will be measure in seconds and always rounded up to whole seconds.
Why will an energy deficit result even in case of sufficient auxiliary heating?TOP
When the hot water system is not running the water left in the pipes cools off. That’s why typically when first tapping water you will get a certain amount of too cold water. The resulting energy deficit will be added up and amounts as a rule to a monthly 2-5% of the energy demand.
Why isn’t the hot water energy demand constant in the component results?TOP
Under energy demand the monthly energy demand will be listed in kWh. Since not all months have the same number of days monthly variations may be observed (for example February/March = 28/31).
What does the message «Energy demand not met» mean?TOP
It may happen that the energy produced by the solar collectors and the auxiliary heating is insufficient to meet the energy demand of the planned system. In such cases, the temperatures of the domestic hot water and the building are different from the nominal values that were set in the project. Polysun marks these systems in the graphs and reports with the message «Energy demand not met».
To meet the demand, the energy consumer must be supplied with more solar thermal energy or auxiliary energy. In some cases, it is possible to obtain it by increasing the collector area or the power of non-solar auxiliary heating. However, the message “Energy demand not met” often means that the energy use is inefficient and the project must be revised.
How will the hot water withdrawal temporally simulated?TOP
The hot water withdrawal of a simulation will be defined through the following parameter:
* Nominal flow rate (for example 360 l/h)
* Daily profile (for example maximum daily peaks, that is for the 24 hours of the day in %:
0, 0, 0, 2.3, 2.3, 2.3, 2.3, 8, 8, 8, 2.3, 2.3, 8, 8, 8, 2.3, 2.3, 8, 8, 8, 2.4, 2.4, 2.4, 2.4)
* Daily hot water demand for single months (for example always 200 l/day from January to December)
In Polysun the amount of hot water that will be obtained during a given hour will always be determined at the beginning of such hour (for example 8% of the daily demand of 200 l, that is 16 litres, will be obtained in the morning between 8:00 and 9:00). In the Polysun simulation reference will always be made at the beginning of an hour to the total amount of hot water for such hour together with the nominal flow rate (in the above example 16 litres will be obtained with 360 litres/h that is water will be drawn for 2.66 minutes.
What are the definitions of the different solar fractions?TOP
In the variant results display the user will be able to view the different solar fractions: Sfi (input-oriented), Sfn (net) and Sfg (gross). These refer to different limits of the system.
