Testing performance and efficiency of solar thermal collectors

Tempe, AZ — March 14, 2014 — The Rackam technical team, in close collaboration with TÜV Rheinland PTL, has developed a test bench for testing performance and efficiency of solar thermal collectors. It is a pumping circuit equipped with an electric heating element as well as measuring and control instruments, which enable the circulation of mineral oil-based high temperature heat transfer fluids up to 240°C through various devices such as solar collectors, but also thermal storage banks or small steam turbine generators.

Rackam develops and deploys clean, efficient and cost-effective solar and thermal technologies for today's industries. TÜV Rheinland PTL is a leading technical and testing service provider for the solar industry that also specializes in the registration process of technological equipment. The new instrumented pumping module will be deployed at the TÜV Rheinland PTL testing facilities located in Tempe, Arizona.

"The specifications of this project required high precision measurement along with high versatility, which is why we paid a great deal of attention to the selection of measuring equipment," said Jacques-Alexandre Fortin, Director of Research and Development at Rackam. "The result is a mobile test bench which is both versatile and very accurate."

"At TÜV Rheinland PTL, we have been developing and deploying testing equipment and protocols in support of the solar industry for nearly 20 years," said Mark Witt, Program Manager for PV Module and Solar Thermal Testing at TÜV Rheinland PTL. "This partnership with Rackam has effectively enabled us to offer our world-class, client-centered technical services to the high temperature solar thermal sector."

This milestone confirms the capability and commitment of TÜV Rheinland PTL in providing expert technical and testing services to the solar thermal industry. To learn more about TÜV Rheinland PTL's technical and testing services, email info@tuv.com.

About TÜV Rheinland

Founded in 1872, TÜV Rheinland is a global leader in independent testing, inspection, and certification services, ensuring quality and safety for people, the environment and technology in nearly all aspects of life. The company maintains a presence in 500 locations spanning 65 countries, employs 18,000 people and has an annual revenue of $2.2 billion (€1.6 billion). TÜV Rheinland inspects technical equipment, products and services, oversees projects and helps to shape processes for a wide variety of companies through its worldwide network of approved labs, testing facilities and education centers. Since 2006, the company has been a member of the United Nations Global Compact to promote sustainability and combat corruption. For more information, visit www.tuv.com/us.

About Rackam

Rackam is an international manufacturer and developer of solar thermal collectors, which specializes in industrial heating and cooling processes. The company's thermal systems help industries from all the world make clean, efficient and affordable energy savings, while allowing them to make a highly visible contribution towards sustainable practices. Learn more about Rackam's innovative solar technologies by visiting www.rackam.com/en.