Enhanced Thermal Performance of Solar Heating Systems using Phase Change Materials in Stratified Water Storage Tanks

Authors

  • Asral Asral Department of Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Faculty, Universitas Riau, Indonesia
  • Nur Maizatul Hanisha Khairi Azhar Faculty of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, 86400 Parit Raja, Batu Pahat, Johor, Malaysia
  • Amin Faiq Ahmad Daud Faculty of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, 86400 Parit Raja, Batu Pahat, Johor, Malaysia
  • Ishkrizat Taib Faculty of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, 86400 Parit Raja, Batu Pahat, Johor, Malaysia
  • Mohamad Saiful Nazri Faculty of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, 86400 Parit Raja, Batu Pahat, Johor, Malaysia
  • Hishamuddin Rashid Faculty of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, 86400 Parit Raja, Batu Pahat, Johor, Malaysia
  • Norhasikin Ismail Faculty of Technology Engineering, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, Hab Pendidikan Tinggi Pagoh,KM 1, 84600 Panchor, Johor, Malaysia

Keywords:

Solar system, thermal energy storage, PCM

Abstract

Over the past few decades, there has been a steady increase in the use of solar water heaters in regions with abundant solar energy. However, because the sun can only provide electricity for a fraction of every 24-hour period, it is necessary to supplement solar water heaters with thermal energy storage systems. These thermal water storage tanks for solar systems use phase change materials (PCMs), which can store additional energy to provide sufficient power, for example, to compensate for potential shortcomings that can arise from limited production time, such as at night or during cloudy weather. PCMs can undergo a solid-to-liquid phase transition (i.e. melting process) when heated to a temperature suitable for the heat input used. This study explores ways to improve the thermal efficiency of thermal water storage tanks by applying a potential digital model using PCM containing paraffin wax. This research aims to find the most suitable PCMs for finite element modelling, including detecting changes in thermal conductivity and enthalpy at different temperatures. Potential factors for increasing the efficiency include the use of encapsulated PCM for spheres on the heat exchanger and varying the time required for the melting/solidification process. The study also includes an overview of the Latent Heat Energy Storage System (LHESS) and its underlying theory.

Author Biographies

Asral Asral, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Faculty, Universitas Riau, Indonesia

asral@lecturer.unri.ac.id

Nur Maizatul Hanisha Khairi Azhar, Faculty of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, 86400 Parit Raja, Batu Pahat, Johor, Malaysia

hanishaz16@gmail.com

Amin Faiq Ahmad Daud, Faculty of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, 86400 Parit Raja, Batu Pahat, Johor, Malaysia

dd160008@student.uthm.edu.my

Ishkrizat Taib, Faculty of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, 86400 Parit Raja, Batu Pahat, Johor, Malaysia

iszat@uthm.edu.my

Mohamad Saiful Nazri, Faculty of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, 86400 Parit Raja, Batu Pahat, Johor, Malaysia

CD160110@student.uthm.edu.my

Hishamuddin Rashid, Faculty of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, 86400 Parit Raja, Batu Pahat, Johor, Malaysia

AD170100@student.uthm.edu.my

Norhasikin Ismail, Faculty of Technology Engineering, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, Hab Pendidikan Tinggi Pagoh,KM 1, 84600 Panchor, Johor, Malaysia

 nhasikin@uthm.edu.my

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Published

2024-08-16

Issue

Vol. 1 No. 1: June (2024)

Section

Articles