Experimental study of a multi-tube ICS solar water heating system in mild climates

Abstract

Since a majority of residential and industrial building hot water needs are around 50°C, an integrated solar water heater could provide a bulk source that blends collection and storage into one unit. These collectors incorporate thermal storage within the collector itself. The storage pipe surface serves as the absorber surface. Most ICS systems use only one tank, but some use a number of tanks in series. While the simplicity of ICS systems is attractive, they are generally suitable only for applications in mild climates with small thermal storage requirements. A multi-tube ICS solar hot water system with eight cylindrical water storage tanks (pipes) in horizontal (East-West) orientation was designed and outdoor tests of experimental model were performed in mild climate of north (Caspian Sea) region of Iran. Experimental results such as water temperature profiles, mean daily efficiency, water temperature stratification and thermal losses during night are presented and discussed for this model. Experimental results showed that the daily mean efficiency is comparable to other ICS systems and also acceptable thermal performance of this type of ICS system has been observed.