Life Cycle Assessment of the Use of Phase Change Material in an Evacuated Solar Tube Collector

This paper presents an environmental impact assessment of the entire cycle existence tube-vacuum solar collector prototype. The innovativeness solution involved using a phase change material as heat-storing material, which was placed inside collector’s tubes-vacuum. PCM used in this study paraffin. system boundaries contained three phases: production, operation (use phase), and disposal. An ecological life carried out SimaPro software. To compare heat storage, amount generated for 15 years, starting from beginning installation preparing domestic hot water single-family residential building, considered functional unit. Assuming comparable production methods individual elements ETC waste management scenarios, reduction harmful effects on environment by introducing that stores ranges 17 to 24%. performed analyses have also shown method itself manufacturing materials construction choice scenario disposal during decommissioning all play important role its assessment. With increase application advanced technologies subjected recycling, degree decreased 82% compared standard manufacture