Evaluating a prototype compact thermal energy storage tank using paraffin-based phase change material for domestic hot water production

George Dogkas,Maria K Koukou,Luis Coelho,Amandio Rebola,Vassilis N Stathopoulos,John Konstantaras,M.A Sayegh,B Kaźmierczak,J Danielewicz,H Jouhara,M Kutyłowska,K Piekarska

doi:10.1051/e3sconf/201911600016

Abstract

A full-scale thermal energy storage system using phase change materials (PCM) is experimentally investigated for solar and geothermal applications. The system consists of a rectangular tank filled with PCM and a staggered fin tube heat exchanger (HE). The system is designed for the production of Domestic Hot Water (DHW) based on the EU Commission Regulation No 814/2013 [1] requirements. The characteristics that are studied are the stored energy density of the system, the heat transfer rate through the HE during the charging and discharging processes, the adequacy of produced hot water amount and the storage efficiency of the tank. The results of the experiments confirmed the potential of the system to meet several prerequisites of a DHW installation and in addition to make the operation of the coupled solar collector or ground heat pump efficient.

Highlights

A considerable amount of energy is consumed for the thermal demands of buildings
One of the biggest building energy consumption is the production of Domestic Hot Water (DHW)
The scope of the present work is to examine if a latent heat thermal energy storage tank (LHTES) filled with phase change materials (PCM) can provide DHW at prescribed mass flow rates when it is connected with a solar collector or a geothermal heat pump

Summary

Introduction

A considerable amount of energy is consumed for the thermal demands of buildings. One of the biggest building energy consumption is the production of Domestic Hot Water (DHW). The scope of the present work is to examine if a latent heat thermal energy storage tank (LHTES) filled with PCM can provide DHW at prescribed mass flow rates when it is connected with a solar collector or a geothermal heat pump. In this investigation, two commercial organic PCMs with nominal melting temperature difference of 5°C were tested and their performance is presented and discussed

Experimental procedure

Experimental set-up

PCMs investigated

Results and discussion