EDN RADIASOL T150, RADIASOL T120, RADIASOL T200, RADIASOL T250 Technical Manual
ENERGY BY NATURE
TECHNICAL MANUAL
RADIASOL
the solar thermal system that warms even in winter
without boiler and antifreeze devices
THE ORIGINAL
2
ENERGY BY NATURE
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“Entia non sunt multiplicanda sine necessitate”
“Elements must not be multiplied beyond necessity”
According to this medieval saying by William of
Ockham we should only use the elements we really
need, by shaving off (hence the expression “Ockham’s
Razor”) that which is superfluous.
Following this philosophy EDN has shown the
world the new direction of solar energy for heating.
ENERGY BY N ATURE
CONTENTS
Our philosophy pag. 02
Index pag. 03
The answer to an actual need pag. 05
How it Works pag. 06-09
Building quality - Water analysis pag. 10
Investing in RADIASOL pag. 11
Models and climate types pag. 12
Sizing criteria pag. 13
Examples of installed systems pag. 14-20
Technical data pag. 21-25
Manual Installation, use and maintenance pag. 26-39
ENERGY BY N ATURE
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“Domestic heating accounts for 25/30% of the world’s total atmospheric emissions.
If we add also the industrial consumption of hot water, this percentage increases signicantly.
Today, such a huge energy need is still met through the use of fossil fuels that now represent a real threat to
all of humanity.
Solar thermal energy is a limitless and renewable source of energy, which could drastically lower emissions
into the atmosphere but it is still not widely used because the best known traditional technologies have still
some critical issues, namely those listed below:
1 Low yield with heating capacity and eciency concentrated in the summer only.
2 Constant need for maintenance due to the presence of forced circulation pumps, electrical switchboards,
antifreeze devices, additional expansion vessels, bulky storage tanks with double coils and so on.
3 Critical environmental impact due to the periodic outow of antifreeze uids that go directly into the
ground and in the aquifer.”
RADIASOL, thanks to its innovative technology, is the answer to these problems and proposes solar
heating as the primary and indispensable source of clean energy. We offer a secure and consistent
thermal efficiency in all seasons, no special maintenance and no risk for the environment because our
systems do not use any anti-freeze fluid. The cost of energy is becoming an increasingly pressing issue
every day for families and businesses alike. We guarantee savings and an unmatched cost/performance
ratio.
THE ANSWER TO AN ACTUAL NEED
T120 T150 T200 T250
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HOW IT WORKS
RADIASOL works with reduced surface area, to the benefit of aesthetics and easy installation.
For special architectural requirements, it is possible to choose the color as following.
RADIASOL
The solar thermal system sets new standards in the industry thanks to its unique performance and
reliability. It produces hot water even in winter and offers, in spring and autumn, heat performances
comparable to the summer of traditional systems. EDN invented the system of direct exchange with
gasified double-glazing, the only company in the world to have tested for several years this revolutionary
technology in extreme weather conditions and with thousands of systems installed in the various
continents..
RADIASOL consists of a radiator with cylindrical tubes interconnecting containing water that absorbs
solar radiation directly through the gasified double-glazing.
It uses the best available solar radiation thanks to its particular constructive technique (EDN patent) and
the thermal mass of its elements (stainless steel, water, glass) without accumulation, antifreeze and
recirculation pumps.
RADIASOL T150 D with a surface of 1,5 m
2
produces in summer over 250lt of hot water daily, 150/200lt
in spring/autumn and 100/150lt in winter.
Taking advantage of the thermal inertia of its 145 kg full weight, it produces much more energy than a
conventional system (forced, natural or vacuum circulation) with accumulation of 200 / 300lt.
Thanks to its exceptional performance and the absence of maintenance, Radiasol guarantees the best
price/performance ratio for the quickest return on investment.
Guaranteed 5 years.
Certified by UNI EN 12976.
BROWN
WHITE ALLUMINIUM (standard)
GREY
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DIRECT EXCHANGE
RADIASOL is an integrated (collector-storage tank) system that directly transfers the solar radiation to
the water contained within it.
It contains less water than traditional systems with storage tank but the sun heats the three masses of the
elements that make it up (double-glazed panel, radiator’s steel body and the water inside) employing
the thermal inertia of the mass.
Benefits:
• No loss of energy during transfer from the collector.
• Maximum energy efficiency not only in summer but in all seasons of the year.
• Reduced area of absorption to the benefit of system aesthetics and simplicity.
• No maintenance needed.
TRADITIONAL SYSTEMS
In conventional systems (forced circulation, natural circulation or vacuum) the heat exchange between
solar energy and water takes place through two circuits (primary and secondary circuit).
In such systems normally 2-3 litres of water and glycol contained in the collector absorb solar energy
and transfer it to the 150-200 litres (or more) in the storage tanks.
During the transfer from the primary circuit to the secondary circuit a substantial share of the energy is
dispersed.
Collector containing water and glycol
RADIASOL SYSTEM
The sun directly heats the water inside the radiator taking
considerably less time and using all of the available solar
radiation.
Domestic water
Transfer to storage tank
Domestic water
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DIRECT EXCHANGE - THE DOUBLE-GLAZED PANEL
The direct exchange technology, combined with the double-glazing is the only solar thermal
technology that ensures high yields even in winter.
The glass’ thermal transmittance and its solar factor are the key factors influencing the efficiency of a
solar thermal system.
Single glass has 90% solar factor which lets almost all the available solar radiation in but has a thermal
transmittance U of 5.7 W/m2 K.
A last generation low-emissivity double-glazed panel has a lower solar factor (76% versus 90%) than a
single glass, but a better thermal transmittance: 1.7 W/m2 K.
This means that a double-glazing unit holds more than 340% of energy within the system both during
daytime absorption and night dispersion.
To better understand the effectiveness of the double-glazing unit we will analyse the efficiency
percentage formula.
η = (Ec - Qp)/Io
where
Ec : total radiation captured
Io : incident radiation,
Qp : losses due to conduction+convection+radiation.
If we regard incident and captured radiation as independent from the product’s manufacturing quality
and if we consider radiation and conduction losses as negligible (the latter may be effectively curtailed
via an excellent insulation), the discriminating element are losses by convection i.e. those caused by the
convective motions that occur in the air space between the radiator and the glass.
The smaller these losses, the higher the efficiency. The air in contact with the receiving surface of the
radiator heats up and tends to rise to the top where it releases much of his energy into the glass, and the
heat then follows its natural path towards the colder environment, i.e. outside.
This phenomenon is more evident in cold climates, characterized by lower temperatures for longer times
of the year. The best way to counter this convective flow towards the surrounding outside environment
in colder climates is using RADIASOL D models with double-glazed units.
Conversely, in warm climate zones where night temperatures never drop below 10°C single glass models
can be effectively used.
air volume
temperature controlled resistor
SINGLE GLASS U value 5,7W/ m2KDOUBLE-GLAZED U value 1,7W/ m2K
air volume gas-filled double-glazing unit
temperature controlled resistor
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VERTICAL-HORIZONTAL ORIENTATION
A domestic hot water storage tank, to function effectively, must have a good layering capacity, i.e. it
must have layers of water at different temperatures inside. What makes layering possible is the fact that
a fluid’s density changes as temperature changes: hot water has a lower density, therefore it tends to
accumulate in the upper part of the radiator while cold water, being heavier, is deposited in the bottom.
Layering is an essential prerequisite for the smooth operation of a solar water heating system.
The vertical storage tank prevents cold water from the water network from mixing with hot water
coming from the radiator every time water is used.
RADIASOL in vertical position has a diameter/height ratio well above the generally required standards
(2.5: 1).
The picture shows RADIASOL in vertical position (Figure 1) with an inlet water temperature of 15 °C. In
this condition three layers form, with respective temperatures 15 °C - 45 °C - 65 °C (indicative). In this
case 65 °C water is immediately available at the output.
In cold climates RADIASOL, installed in a vertical position, works on higher temperature ranges, also
greatly reducing the need to use any auxiliary heating source (heat pump or boiler) in colder seasons.
If a horizontal position installation is chosen (fig. 2) layering does not occur and, in the same climate
conditions, the output water is at 45 °C.
EDN recommends using RADIASOL horizontally only in climatic zones with insolation values above
2000 kWh/m2 per year.
For special installation and architectural requirements, contact EDN.
15°C
45°C
65°C
45°C
15°C
(image. 1)
(image. 2)
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RADIASOL is built entirely in our factory in Assisi and the whole production process is strictly monitored
and consists of:
• Construction of outer casing in aluminium alloy;
• Welding with the most advanced Plasma Tig techniques (EDN patent);
• Chemical treatment after welding to restore physical and chemical characteristics of the alloy;
• Painting with high temperature opaque enamel (0-5 gloss), tested in the “weather chamber”;
• Assembly with very high performance industrial adhesives (over 250 °C with continuous cycle) and
automatic riveting.
QUALITY CONSTRUCTION - WATER ANALYSIS
WARNING
Although the 316L stainless alloy is the most common alloy to build boiler bodies, heat exchangers and
various applications in hot water, it should not be used (by directions of European steel centres) with
water containing more than 80 ppm of chloride and sulphates (see warranty).
RADIASOL can be built to order with a chemical treatment of super-passivation for use in locations with
aggressive water (up to 250 ppm of chlorides and sulphates).
Every RADIASOL unit is tested at a pressure of 10 bar. The choice of top quality raw materials represents
the EDN “Built to last” philosophy.
Gasified double-glazing with the highest solar factor
and thermal resistance values.
Transmittance value Ug=1,7W [W/m²K]
316L stainless steel radiator, welded under shielding
area (plasma-tig) with chemical treatment of pickling
and passivation
Thermal insulation with polyurethane foam thermal
conductivity λ=0,028 [W/m²K]
Outer housing in aluminum-magnesium alloy for
maximum resistance in aggressive environments
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INVEST IN RADIASOL
(You can benefit from “conto termico” special benefits)
RADIASOL can be a reliable source of savings regardless of the tax breaks and other special schemes.
The graph below shows how RADIASOL (fig. 01) produces hot water during all months of the year, with
autumn and spring yields compared to summer yields of traditional systems (fig. 02).
500
400
300
200
100
0
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
Daily average yearly production per annum for RADIASOL T200D model facing South (North if below
the equator line) in climate zone E, with a 35/40° inclination.
Daily average production per annum with a traditional system with 200 litres storage tank installed in
the same climate conditions.
500
400
300
200
100
0
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
Data provided is merely an example
(fig. 01)
(fig. 02)
RADIASOL is marketed in Italy and abroad through specialized distributors of plumbing products.
To see firsthand the unique performance of our technology, EDN recommend visiting our
authorized distributors with RADIASOL exposed to the sun, especially in cold weather.
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MODELS AND CLIMATE TYPES
THERE ARE TWO GROUPS OF RADIASOL MODELS:
D models (gas-filled double-glazing units) for climates where minimum night temperatures can drop
well below 0 °C and S models (single glass units) for climates where minimum night temperatures rarely
drops below 10 °C.
All RADIASOL models are designed to allow insertion of the Ultra Low Power temperature controlled
resistor (25-35-45 watt depending on the model) which has two functions:
• Increases the thermal efficiency in winter by regulating the volume of air inside the system.
• Prevents condensation on the glass and exploits 100% of solar radiation.
This technique (patent solution EDN) involves a small power consumption (10-15 euro per year
depending on the installation location). The map shows locations with RADIASOL systems installed
through which EDN executes performance tests throughout the year.
The map shows locations with RADIASOL systems installed through which EDN executes performance
tests throughout the year.
AVERAGE ANNUAL INSOLATION
VALUES (kwh/m2)
Temperature-controlled air volume Double-glazed unit
Resistor
Double-glazed unit Ug value (thermal transmittance) 1,7W/m2K
Single glass Ug value (thermal transmittance) 5,7W/m
2
K
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
500 - 1000 kwh/m2 year
1000 - 1500 kwh/m
2
year
1500 - 2500 kwh/m2 year
Data provided are merely an indicaon
Resistor
Temperature-controlled air volume
The higher the thermal transmittance value, the greater the amount of dissipated heat energy. The
double-glazed panel holds 340% more power than the single glass.
RADIASOL can be installed either in vertical or horizontal position. In cold climates with irradiation
values normally below 2000 kWh/m2, EDN recommends the vertical (upright) installation to make the
most of the heat layers inside the radiator (see p. 09). In warm climate zones with insolation values
above 2000 kWh/m2, RADIASOL can also be installed effectively in the horizontal position.
To calculate solar cover and further installation tips, contact EDN.
Single glass
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