The experimental performance of the semi-cylindrical type of solar concentrator collector on the addition of heat storage material

Abstract

The heat absorbability and the efficiency of water heaters are increased by adding phase change material as heat storage in solar water heaters known as cylindrical through collectors type. It used to absorb heat from solar energy and will concentrate towards an absorber pipe containing water, so it can increase the water temperature that flows through the tube. In this study, two absorber copper pipes used with Ø 2.54 and Ø 1.91 cm, respectively. The copper pipes arranged parallel and placed the heat storage materials with different conditions. A drum with a diameter of 55.5 cm and a length of 10 cm is split vertically into two parts which will be used as a cylindrical type of solar collector — the solar intensity measured during the experiment. Results show the highest water out temperature is 65 °C at 13:00 WIB that the position of paraffin inside pipe 2 with a solar intensity is 1195 W/m2 and the efficiency is 13.5%. The water inside of pipe 2 found the water out temperature is 62 °C and the efficiency is 12.31%. The position of air inside of pipe 2 recorded the water out temperature is 60 °C, and the efficiency is 10.21%. It can be concluded that the effect of adding paraffin inside of pipe 2 is better than water and air.