Abstract
A new design of storage tank with multiple outlets for storing solar thermal energy is proposed and investigated. The storage tank is featured with one fixed inlet port and three outlet ports at different heights. The new design provides an adaptive effective tank volume to cater for the dynamic solar heat supply. As an alternative of variable-volume tank, it helps improve the system performance and build a more flexible system. Using CFD simulations, the present work compares the transient temperature contours in the new design against those in a conventional tank during a charging process. Energy and exergy analysis are performed to investigate the thermal storing performance of a solar heating system with the new tank. It is found that the new storage tank is particularly useful in shortening the thermal response time and generating more useful energy and exergy in the cloudy day, by 12.7% and 20%, respectively, over a traditional tank.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
