Enhancement of Heating Capacity of Solar Water Heater Using PCM (Paraffin Wax)

Abstract

Scientists around the world are looking for new renewable energy sources. One option is the development of energy storage, which is as important as the development of new energy sources. There are various types of renewable energy sources like Wind, Solar, Hydro-power, Geothermal, Municipal solid waste, etc. Domestic Solar water heater is widely used across the country. It is the renewable type of water heater used widely. The initial cost of a solar water heater is comparatively high with other water heaters. But there is a problem with heat loss in the solar water heater. To overcome these types of problems, Phase Change Material (PCM) can be solved. In this experiment, we used PCM as thermal energy storage for the solar water heater. The latent heat of water produced due to solar energy is stored in PCM. Later at the time of temperature drop down, it is again given back to water stored in a tank. In this experiment, the PCM material is sandwiched between the inner tank and insulating material. The PCM material used is OM55. The efficiency of the solar water heater is increased with PCM material. In this experiment, we compared PCM based solar water heater tank with a conventional tank. From this heat loss problem of cold days is solved. From this, the heat of the solar water heater is optimized.