ISFH CalTeC: Thermal applications

We operate two solar simulators (3.2 m² & 5 m²) for weather-independent testing of solar collectors. This allows rapid and reproducible determination of collector performance using water and glycol up to operating temperatures of 180 °C.
We also perform usability tests, including temperature and thermal cycling, as well as stagnation behavior of collectors and small solar systems.

Outdoor testing facilities include:

• 3 test roofs (total area: 400 m²)
• 2 solar-tracked test platforms (total area: 20 m²)

Testing capabilities:

• Performance measurements of solar collectors
• Long-term and usability testing
• System tests and simulations
• Controller testing
• Flexible setups for functional and stress testing
• Heat flow measurements in absorbers and heat pipes
• Test bench for solar- and ground-source heat pump systems

We test hot water storage tanks up to 3000 liters using two high-capacity test benches in climate-controlled laboratories:

• Thermostat modules for charging/discharging from 15–95 °C, up to 2.4 m³/h, and up to 25 kW
• Automated long-term testing cycles
• Testing according to EN 12977-3 & -4
• Detailed studies during product/component development
• Heat loss measurement for EU energy efficiency labelling (Regulations 812/2013 & 814/2013)

We test air-to-water, brine-to-water, and water-to-water heat pumps up to 30 kW. In addition to standard tests, we also offer application-specific, development-accompanying dynamic testing using simulation environments, stress, and endurance testing.

Facilities include:

• Thermostat modules to simulate the heat sink
• Thermostat modules to simulate brine or water as a heat source
• A 180 m³ climate chamber for replicating environmental conditions (air temperature from -20 °C to 50 °C, humidity up to 100% at -15 °C, with rainfall simulation)
• Suitable equipment for testing units using flammable or explosive refrigerants
• Detailed analysis as part of product/component development
• Measurement of domestic hot water preparation efficiency for EU labelling (812/2013 & 814/2013)

A modular test bench simulates realistic usage profiles with:

• 1000 l hot water & 800 l cold water storage
• Five controllable pipe branches with flexible flow control
• Full automation for various temperature and flow scenarios

More information is available in our project archive: HeiSta – Characterization of new components in heating technology (funded by BMWE).