Comparitive study of sensible and latent heat storage systems integrated with solar water heating unit

Abstract

The present work has been undertaken to study the feasibility of storing solar energy using phase change materials (PCMs) and utilizing this energy to heat water for domestic applications during nighttime. This ensures that hot water is available through out the day. The storage system consists of two simultaneously functioning heat-absorbing units. One of them is a solar water heater and the other a heat storage unit consists of PCM. The solar water heater functions normally and supplies hot water during the day. The storage unit stores the heat in PCMís during the day and supplies hot water during the night and overcast periods. The storage unit utilizes small cylinders made of aluminium filled with paraffin (PCM) as the heat storage medium and integrated with a solar collector to absorb solar energy. The performance of this PCM based thermal energy storage system is compared with conventional sensible heat storage system and the conclusions drawn from them are presented.