A new experimental strategy to enhance thermal stratification of solar hot water storage tank using different PCM layouts

ABSTRACT

The study examines the effect of different positions and layouts of phase change material (PCM) inside the solar hot water storage tank experimentally. Three similar circular horizontal perforated plates similar to baffles are designed for placing some PCM cylindrical capsules. The thermal stratification performance and collector’s efficiency are sought. The circular plates are considered at the height of 100, 200, 300, and 400 mm from the top of tank. Various conditions including without PCM and with one, two, and three plates of PCM are investigated. The results indicate that the temperature difference improves 37.3% for the single-row of PCM at a height of 30 cm as compared to the without PCM. In addition, during the PCM discharging period, the tank shows better thermal stratification for a single row of PCM at a height of 300 mm. In discharging process, in one or two- row which are from middle or above middle of the tank, the arithmetic mean temperature at different heights is 3.6°C and 2.6°C higher than the water tank without PCM. However, this study shows that during charging and discharging one row and two rows perform better for charging and discharging process. Results show that the perforated plates act as stabilizers.

KEYWORDS:

• Phase change material
• positions
• layout
• solar hot water storage tank
• thermal stratification

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No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.

Notes on contributors

Milad Setareh

Milad Setareh obtained his PhD degree in mechanical engineering from Amirkabir University of Technology (Tehran Polytechnic), Tehran, Iran. He is working as an assistant professor at Jundi-Shapur University of Technology, Dezful, Iran, since 2020. His interest fields are solar energy systems and using different active and passive methods for heat transfer enhancement in various applications.

Mohammad Reza Assari

Mohammad Reza Assari is a Professor of mechanical engineering, and worked for more than 20 years in Jundi-Shapur University of Technology, Dezful, Iran. Now, he is a faculty member in Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran. His research interests are thermofluid, energy storage and solar energy.

Hassan Basirat Tabrizi

Hassan Basirat Tabrizi is an emeritus professor of mechanical engineering from Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Iran. He is working on different subjects of thermofluid sciences including multiphase flow (gas-solid), turbulent flows, environmental control, energy conversion and management, heat and mass transfer, dying, air pollution control, solar energy, powertrain.

Alireza Jafar Gholi Beik

Alireza Jafar Gholi Beik is a mechanical engineer with an industrial background in energy systems and thermofluid science. He received his master degree in mechanic engineering from Jundi-Shapur University of Technology, Dezful, Iran in 2014. Now, he is working as a thermal design and mechanical engineering technician.

Farzad Raman

Farzad Raman received his master degree of mechanical engineering from Jundi-Shapur University of Technology, Dezful, Iran. His research areas of interest are solar energy, solar still, heat and mass transfer.