Thermal Performance of a Domestic Chromium Solar Water Collector with Phase Change Material

Abstract

In this experimental investigation; domestic type of a 304 stainless steel chromium flat plate solar water collector that can be directly connected to the pressurized city water line system, not to give any negative effects on chemical compositions of the water, has hot water tank inside collector, keep hot water temperature with PCM placed inside the collector during night, not to be needed any maintenance during lifetime and have less price, more lifetime, high thermal efficiency, easier assembling and manufacturing when compared with aluminum and copper type collectors was designed, constructed and tested for the thermal efficiency according to EN (European Union Norms) 12975-2 (Anon., 2003). This collector was tested in the summer conditions (in July, in Adiyaman, Turkey). The collector was tested while fluid (water) stored inside collector during the daytime and nighttime for two days and while fluid flows as 0,02kg/s.m2 for 5hours (10:00 to 15:00) for two different days (periods). Some solar thermal energy was stored for short term period (from day to night) using paraffin (melting temperature point: 55°C, melting latent heat: 50kcal/kg and density: 900kg/m3) as a phase change material (PCM). Each test was replicated two times. As a result, thermal efficiency of the collector was defined as 12.5% and 62.0% while fluid stored and flows, respectively.