Performance evaluation of a solar PV/T water heater integrated with inorganic salt based energy storage medium

Abstract

Thermal and Electrical performance of solar PV/T hybrid water heating system using salt mixture phase change materials in storage tank is analyzed in this study. Compare to all conventional type heaters, the solar PV/T hybrid module collector has ability to produces both electrical energy from PV module and utilizes incident solar energy to heat the water. The sheet and tube type absorber is used to heat up the tube which is attached at the back side of PV module and transfer the heat to flowing water and the electrical energy is tested by connecting the DC load on the PV terminals under glazed and unglazed modes respectively. To enhance the thermal performance, energy storage medium is used as phase change materials at good proportion in the tank. The thermo physical properties of PCM are analyzed by Differential Scanning Calorimetry. This experimental testing is conducted from 8.00 to 17.00 IST in various sunny days and results are compared for glazed and unglazed conditions. The results shows that the average water temperature easily reaches 38-45°C and the final temperature of water never dropped below 34°, the temperature of PCM is 45.6oC, which is 5oC higher than outlet. The amount of heat stored using PCM in tank is 16.86% greater than no-PCM in the tank for constant 0.01 kg/s mass flow rate. The daily average electrical efficiency is 6.4% under glazed mode and 8.8% under unglazed conditions.