Transfer functions of solar heating systems with pipes for dynamic analysis and control design

Although, pipes can affect the operation of solar heating systems considerably, this effect has not been built in the transfer functions of such systems worked out already in the literature. In this study, new transfer functions for solar heating systems with pipes are proposed based on a validated mathematical model. Transfer function based control design is also given generally. As particular applications, the dynamic analysis and the design of a stable P control are presented on a real solar heating system. It is also presented quantitatively that the designed P control is faster and more precise than the most conventional on/off control. Furthermore, the presented methods can be easily adapted for any solar heating system with long pipes equipped with an external heat exchanger.