Experimental investigations into performance evaluation of thermosyphon solar heating system using modified PCM modules

Abstract

The demand for effective and efficient use of solar heating arrangement is increasing in domestic and industrial applications. The existing renewable energy resources are intermittent and fluctuate depending upon the meteorological conditions. So, the main aim of this present work is to develop thermosyphon solar heating system for improving the performance using modified phase change material (PCM) modules. Paraffin wax material is used as PCM for holding the heat energy to attain an effective solar fraction. A detailed stratification experimental analysis for heat energy accumulation tank has been carried out on without PCM, PCM without fins, PCM with ring type fins and spiral fins. An hourly based charging and discharging efficiency are also calculated for the above cases and compared. All the experiments are carried out three times and average values are taken for the analysis. From the results measured experimentally, it is inferred that the discharging time of solar water heating system with cylindrical PCM ring type fins is 3 h more than without PCM. The discharging time of solar water heating system with cylindrical PCM took 7 h more than without PCM. The charging energy efficiency of heat energy accumulation tank with cylindrical PCM ring type and PCM in spiral module fins confers better results than cylindrical PCM and without PCM. This shows that the PCM get better stratification time and increases the overall performance of solar water heating system.