Thermal Energy Storage Capacity of Composite Solid Desiccant Used In Sun Drying Applications Using Paraffin Wax

Abstract

Abstract: Systems for storing thermal energy have become more important in solar thermal applications in order to supply the energy during overcast and gloomy hours. The capacity of a solid desiccant made up of 60% bentonite, 10% calcium chloride, 20% vermiculite, and 10% cement on a dry weight basis paired with a latent heat storage medium made of paraffin wax is examined in this study. Solid desiccant and paraffin have volume percentages of 90: 10, 80: 20, and 70: 30, respectively. The hollow cylindrical solid desiccant mould is filled with paraffin wax, which has a latent heat of fusion of 253 kJ/kg and a melting point of approximately 61.6 degrees Celsius. An experiment is conducted at air mass flow rate of 0.01, 0.02, and 0.03 kg/m2s with temperatures of 40, 50 and 60OC. The heat storage and retrieval capacity of 80% solid desiccant with 20% paraffin wax at 50oC and 0.02kg/m2s show the better results which are suitable for solar drying.