The ApricusTM Solar Water Heating system consists of a series of sealed double-walled tubes, each housing an evacuated copper heat pipe. The double-walled glass tube is also evacuated (vacuum), which provides an efficient insulator trapping heat in the area of the copper heat pipe.
The sun's energy passes through the transparent (glass) outer tube and is absorbed by a special coating on the glass wall. Heat is trapped inside the glass tubes where it is transferred to the heat pipe; this heating vaporizes (steam) the liquid in the sealed heat pipe, which then rises and exchanges its energy (heat) with water that is circulated through a header around the expansion valve at the top.
The solar collector is passive (solid-state) and the water that circulates through the header portion of the collector is the water that heats your house, washes your clothes, or treats you to a hot shower!
Typical Rooftop Apricus Installation