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Thermosyphon circulation in a simple solar water heater (not a working model; there is no water supply to replenish the tank when the tap is used). A thermosiphon (or thermosyphon) is a device that employs a method of passive heat exchange based on natural convection, which circulates a fluid without the necessity of a mechanical pump.
Under the right conditions (if the water supply loses pressure and the sink is higher than the point at which the water supply enters the house, for instance), the dirty water in the sink could be siphoned backwards into the water pipes through the hose and faucet. The dirty water could then be dispersed throughout the drinking water system.
Each fixture usually has a characteristic means of connection. Normal plumbing practice is to install a valve on each water supply line before the fixture, and this is most commonly termed a stop or "service valve". The water supply to some fixtures is cold water only (such as water closets and urinals). Most fixtures also have a hot water supply.
Thermodynamic heat pump cycles or refrigeration cycles are the conceptual and mathematical models for heat pump, air conditioning and refrigeration systems. [1] A heat pump is a mechanical system that transmits heat from one location (the "source") at a certain temperature to another location (the "sink" or "heat sink") at a higher temperature. [2]
Heat traps are valves or loops of pipe on the cold water inlet and hot water outlet of water heaters. The heat traps allow cold water to flow into the water heater tank, but prevent unwanted natural convection and heated water to flow out of the tank. [1] [2] Newer water heaters have built-in heat traps.
Solar heat is clean and renewable. This is the most modern system. Increasingly, solar powered water heaters are being used. Their solar thermal collectors are installed outside dwellings, typically on the roof or walls or nearby, and the potable hot water storage tank is typically a pre-existing or new conventional water heater, or a water heater specifically designed for solar thermal.
While a heat sink is a static object, a fan often aids a heat sink by providing increased airflow over the heat sink—thus maintaining a larger temperature gradient by replacing the warmed air more quickly than passive convection achieves alone—this is known as a forced-air system.
An expansion tank or expansion vessel is a small tank used to protect closed water heating systems and domestic hot water systems from excessive pressure. The tank is partially filled with air, whose compressibility cushions shock caused by water hammer [citation needed] and absorbs excess water pressure caused by thermal expansion. [1]