Types of Solar Thermal Systems: A Comprehensive Guide for Plumbing Technology Students

Question 1

Passive solar thermal systems primarily rely on:

Accepted Answer

Natural convection

Answer

Forced circulation

Answer

Electrical power

Answer

Chemical reactions

Question 2

Which component of an active solar thermal system circulates the heat transfer fluid?

Accepted Answer

Pump

Answer

Water storage tank

Answer

Absorber panel

Answer

Chimney

Question 3

What is the key advantage of passive solar thermal systems over active systems?

Accepted Answer

No moving parts

Answer

Lower cost

Answer

Higher efficiency

Answer

Compact size

Question 4

What is the primary function of a heat transfer fluid in an active solar thermal system?

Accepted Answer

To circulate heat

Answer

To absorb solar energy

Answer

To protect the absorber panel

Answer

To store energy

Question 5

Which type of passive solar thermal collector absorbs and stores solar energy in its thermal mass?

Accepted Answer

Trombe wall

Answer

Solar air collector

Answer

Evacuated tube collector

Answer

Flat plate collector

Question 6

Which characteristic distinguishes a thermosyphon solar thermal system?

Accepted Answer

Relies on natural convection for fluid circulation

Answer

Uses a pump to circulate the heat transfer fluid

Answer

Can operate at high pressures

Answer

Is suitable for large-scale applications

Question 7

What is the primary challenge associated with using solar thermal systems in regions with cold climates?

Accepted Answer

Potential freezing of the heat transfer fluid

Answer

Reduced solar radiation levels

Answer

High installation costs

Answer

Lack of qualified installers

Question 8

Passive solar thermal systems primarily rely on which mechanism for heat transfer?

Accepted Answer

Natural circulation

Answer

Forced circulation

Answer

Electrical pumps

Answer

Convection fans

Question 9

What is the primary purpose of a heat exchanger in a solar thermal system?

Accepted Answer

Transfer heat from collectors to storage

Answer

Heat water for immediate use

Answer

Enhance overall system efficiency

Answer

Regulate fluid flow

Question 10

Passive solar thermal systems are particularly well-suited for which applications?

Accepted Answer

Heating smaller spaces

Answer

Large-scale water heating systems

Answer

Industrial-level heating processes

Answer

Large-scale power generation

Question 11

Which fundamental component is characteristic of a passive solar thermal system?

Accepted Answer

Solar collectors

Answer

Pumps

Answer

Storage tanks

Answer

Heat exchangers

Question 12

What is the main function of solar collectors in a solar thermal system?

Accepted Answer

Absorb solar radiation and convert it into heat

Answer

Store thermal energy for later use

Answer

Circulate heated water or air

Answer

Control the flow of heat in the system

Question 13

Which type of solar thermal system typically employs pumps to circulate the heated fluid?

Accepted Answer

Active

Answer

Passive

Answer

Hybrid

Answer

Direct

Question 14

Which of the following is NOT an application of solar thermal systems?

Accepted Answer

Wastewater treatment

Answer

Water heating

Answer

Space heating

Answer

Industrial processes

Question 15

In a solar thermal system, what is the primary function of a heat exchanger?

Accepted Answer

To transfer heat from the collector fluid to the storage fluid

Answer

To circulate the heated fluid throughout the system

Answer

To convert solar radiation into electricity

Answer

To regulate the temperature of the heated water or air

Question 16

In residential settings, greenhouse heating is a suitable application for which type of solar thermal system?

Accepted Answer

Solar air heating system

Answer

Domestic water pre-heating system

Answer

District heating system

Answer

Industrial steam generation system

Question 17

In a solar thermal system, which type relies on pumps or fans to circulate the heat transfer fluid?

Accepted Answer

Active system

Answer

Polished system

Answer

Passive system

Answer

Hybrid system

Question 18

Within a passive solar thermal system, heat transfer primarily occurs through:

Accepted Answer

Natural convection and radiation

Answer

Forced convection

Answer

Condensation

Answer

Evaporation

Question 19

In a solar thermal system, which component is responsible for absorbing sunlight and transforming it into heat?

Accepted Answer

Collector

Answer

Heat exchanger

Answer

Storage tank

Answer

Pump

Question 20

When considering flat-plate collectors for use in a solar thermal system, what is a primary advantage?

Accepted Answer

Low cost and simplified design

Answer

Ability to track the sun

Answer

High efficiency

Answer

Suitable for high-temperature applications

Question 21

In solar thermal systems, which heat transfer fluid is commonly used due to its stability and low freezing point?

Accepted Answer

Propylene glycol

Answer

Water

Answer

Oil

Answer

Alcohol

Question 22

In a solar thermal system, what is the function of the storage tank?

Accepted Answer

To store excess thermal energy for future use

Answer

To circulate the heat transfer fluid

Answer

To generate electricity

Answer

To absorb sunlight

Question 23

Which application is best suited for a solar thermal system with high-temperature collectors?

Accepted Answer

Industrial process heat

Answer

Water heating

Answer

Residential space heating

Question 24

What is a key disadvantage of parabolic trough collectors compared to flat-plate collectors?

Accepted Answer

Higher cost and complexity

Answer

Inability to track the sun

Answer

Shorter lifespan

Answer

Lower efficiency

Question 25

What is a potential environmental concern associated with the use of solar thermal systems?

Accepted Answer

Disposal of heat transfer fluid

Answer

Land use

Answer

Greenhouse gas emissions

Answer

Water consumption