Development and Results from Application of PCM-Based Storage Tanks in a Solar Thermal Comfort System of an Institutional Building—A Case Study

F Javier Batlles,Antonio M Puertas,Marcos Luján,Sabina Rosiek,Jacek Kasperski,Manuel S Romero-Cano,Bartosz Gil,Svetlana Ushak,Diana Maldonado,Magdalena Nemś,Artur Nemś,Mario Grageda

doi:10.3390/en13153877

Abstract

An important element of a solar installation is the storage tank. When properly selected and operated, it can bring numerous benefits. The presented research relates to a project that is implemented at the Solar Energy Research Center of the University of Almeria in Spain. In order to improve the operation of the solar cooling and heating system of the Center, it was upgraded with two newly designed storage tanks filled with phase change materials (PCM). As a result of design works, commercial material S10 was selected for the accumulation of cold, and S46 for the accumulation of heat, in an amount of 85% and 15%, respectively. The article presents in detail the process of selecting the PCM material, designing the installation, experimental research, and exergy analysis. Individual tasks were carried out by research groups cooperating under the PCMSOL EUROPEAN PROJECT. Results of tests conducted on the constructed installation indicate that daily energy saving when using a solar chiller with PCM tanks amounts to 40% during the cooling season.

Highlights

The use of phase change materials (PCMs) has become more common due to the increase in the application of renewable energy sources, and the need to accumulate heat
The results show that a solar heating system with a PCM tank provides a 34% increase in energy saving capability when compared to an ordinary water tank heating system
The climatization system was originally supported with thermal storage tanks working with liquid water, and the final goal of the present project was to incorporate a storage system based on a phase change material (PCM) both for the purpose of cooling and heating

Summary

Introduction

The use of phase change materials (PCMs) has become more common due to the increase in the application of renewable energy sources, and the need to accumulate heat. The topicality of this issue is demonstrated by the amount of current research that is devoted to materials and systems with PCMs. The topicality of this issue is demonstrated by the amount of current research that is devoted to materials and systems with PCMs These solutions are used, among others, to reduce energy consumption in buildings. Huang et al in [4,5] studied a thermal storage tank containing sodium

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