A comparative study of spherical and cylindrical shells thermal energy storage systems using paraffin wax-palmitic acid and their eutectic mixture

Abstract

ABSTRACT Conservation of energy is an important task for the present world which can be achieved by minimising the usage of conventional fuel and by utilising non-conventional sources. Solar energy is the abundant source of renewable energy which can be used for thermal and electrical applications. In solar thermal applications, there is a need of energy storage for later use. This thermal energy storage can be done by sensible/latent heat storage methods. In the present work, latent heat storage method using phase change materials is considered. Experiments have been conducted in a cylindrical shell type heat exchanger and spherical ball type storage chamber for the solar thermal energy storage. Paraffin wax, palmitic acid and eutectic mixture of paraffin wax and palmitic acid have been used as phase change materials (PCMs) to store the solar energy and the results were compared for both the types of storage devices.