World Leader
TiNOX introduced the high quality titanium absorber in 1995 with a striking success. They only needed a couple of years to obtain the major share of the German market. In just 7 years, more than 700,000m collectors with TiNOX have been installed in Germany alone. TiNOX is now the world leader in volume sold and is currently distributed in Europe, USA, Asia, Australia and the Middle East.
Highest in Efficiency
Most solar collectors depend on solar radiation and are only efficient when the sun is shining. The titanium absorber is different for it works efficiently even when the sky is cloudy. The TiNOX absorber absorbs 95% of incoming solar energy and loses only 3-5% through thermal irradiation (highest ratings in the world).
Layer Composition
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The TiNOX absorber layer is composed of several function layers. A metal fin with good reflection and heat transfer serves as the substrate (generally copper).
A thin titanium carbide layer serves as adhesion layer and diffusion barrier which fades into the absorber layer.
The absorber layer consists of a titanium composition with oxygen and nitrogen. This patented Titaniumoxinitrid layer gave its name to the company "TiNOX". The absorber layer absorbs 95% of the solar radiation and is transparent in the infrared. The infrared radiation "sees" only the well reflecting metal surface and provides an extremely low emission of less than 5%.
The absorber layer is covered by an anti-reflex and protective layer of quartz glass.
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Contrary to some competitor's rumors, TiNOX lasts a lifetime with practically no performance loss. The "task X"-test (ISO draft proposal CD 12 952.2) was developed in cooperation with renowned research institutes in Europe. It simulates long-term collector use and its environmental effects on the selective coating such as temperature and humidity. Coatings examined by "task X" guarantee an efficiency of 95 % of the new condition after a simulated time of 25 years.
TiNOX is certified "task X" by the SPF institute in Rapperswil Switzerland and the "Frauenhofer ISE" institute in Freiburg Germany.
Unlike Black Chrome and other coatings the TiNOX titanium absorber is 100% recyclable. The special PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) production is guaranteed clean and environmentally safe. This process requires only 10% of the energy necessary for the production of galvanic manufactured absorbers.
Copper is one of the best metals with high heat conductivity. It is easy to process and does not cause any problems with corrosion inside the collector. Additionally copper is a very good reflector in the infrared wave range vital for the realization of low emission values. Last but not least in comparison to other popular materials, copper is recyclable to almost 100 %.