Performance Assessment of Three Latent Heat Storage Designs for a Solar Hot Water Tank

Solar hot water tanks (SHWT) based on a latent heat storage system are gaining momentum for their integration into solar heater collectors. They can efficiently store daytime thermal energy and shift on-peak period loads to off-peak periods. However, performance is generally limited by the tank configuration, design of system, selection appropriate phase change material (PCM). This work presents numerical investigation three SHWT-PCM designs. A mathematical model was developed predict effectiveness geometric operating conditions in system. Moreover, sensitivity analysis performed PCM type thermo-physical properties. The obtained results demonstrated that efficiency significantly impacted properties (melting temperature, conductivity, enthalpy). In addition, it found using encapsulated tubes with an external jacket SHWT result 70%.