The thermal stratification behaviour in a solar storage tank is simulated and analysed using a theoretical model based on an integral transform technique. A comparison with available experimental and theoretical data is used to validate the present theoretical results. The accuracy of the model in simulating the thermal behaviour of stratification is reasonably good, especially when consideration is given to the complexity of the physical mechanisms involved, and the relative simplicity of the model.
The effect of the heat loss parameter is investigated and it is found that initially it is strongly spatially and temporally dependent. Therefore, a functional form that accurately represents the heat loss parameter is needed for closer agreement with experimental results. However, after a relatively long time, the assumption of a constant heat loss parameter is adequate to produce acceptable predictions.