The present work experimentally studies the thermal performance of a solar collector integrated with a thermal storage unit to form a compact solar water heater. The storage capacity is further enhanced by attaching a phase-change storage unit containing phase change material (PCM) which is paraffin wax. The two units (tanks) take the form of two shallow rectangular boxes (compartments) tilted at 45 o to the horizon and are firmly attached to ensure complete mutual heat transfer between them. Water and PCM fill the top and bottom tanks respectively. Measurements were carried out from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. where the temperatures at various locations in the system were measured along with ambient temperature and solar radiation intensity. Results show that the temperature of both compartments increases continuously during the simulated period with the upper tank having the higher temperatures. The PCM average temperature did not reach melting range (55 o C-60 o C) which requires either decreasing the amount of PCM or using a PCM with a lower melting point. The maximum temperatures reached are 82 o C for water and 47 o C for PCM which are measured at 4 p.m. and the maximum overall system efficiency of the system was 74% at 11:30 a.m.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2025 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.