Experimental Investigation on improving the Solar Water Heater using PCM: Energy and Exergy View points

Experimental Investigation on improving the Solar Water Heater using PCM: Energy and Exergy View points

In this research, the effects of using PCM on energy and exergy efficiency of solar water heater have been experimentally investigated. A type of paraffin with special thermodynamic properties is used as PCM in spherical capsules in conjunction with water as storage material in the tank of solar water heater. The solar radiation modeled as weak, mean and strong by circulating water with three temperature levels of 40, 60 and 80oC in jacket of tank. The energy and exergy efficiencies of solar water heater have been compared before and after use of PCM in tank. It is observed that using PCM in the tank increase energy storage density in the tank up to 39% and exergy efficiency up to 16%. Also, improvement in thermal stratification has been proved by studying temperature histories of different water layers in tank.