An Experimental Study On Solar Water Heater Integrated With Phase Change Material

This paper shows the experimental investigation of the thermal performance of solar water heater coupled with phase change material (PCM) cylinder. The cylinder contains PCM and spiral copper tubes and is properly insulated using glass wool on the outer surface. The PCM in the cylinder gets charged through hot water during the day, due to the availability of solar radiation. When there is no solar radiation (during the night or during cloudy weather), the PCM discharges and transfers its thermal energy to the cold water and hence raises its temperature. Therefore, this system ensures supply of hot water when there is no solar radiation, without using any conventional form of energy. The testing is done in the laboratory, and the thermal performance of the solar water heater integrated with PCM cylinder is determined. The thermal performance of the solar water heater at different flow rates, i.e., 0.017, 0.030, and 0.050 kg/s with PCM cylinder and without PCM cylinder was determined, and a comparative analysis is done over a period of time. It was found that heat storing capacity and thermal performance of the solar water heater will be enhanced if it is integrated with latent heat thermal energy storage PCM cylinder and hence ensures energy savings.