Thermal performance enhancement of compound parabolic concentrator solar collector using latent heat thermal energy storage

Abstract

Employment of compound parabolic concentrator (CPC) solar collector with evacuated tubes enables effective collection of solar energy. The main objective of the present experimental work is to investigate thermal performance of CPC solar collector coupled with sensible and latent heat thermal energy storage (TES) system. Depending on obtained thermal stratification in sensible TES system, a commercial phase change material (PCM)—OM 65 has been selected and packed only at top quarter section of the TES system. Results showed an appreciable cumulative energy storage of 21 MJ d−1 due to existence of desired temperature driving potential during charging. A higher thermal stratification has been achieved in latent heat TES system, reducing the “MIX” number and supplying the heat transfer fluid at lower temperature to the collector. Due to enhanced useful heat energy gained, thermal efficiency of CPC collector reaches a maximum of 49% while coupling with latent heat TES system. The outcome of the study highlights the potential role of CPC and PCMs in solar thermal system, particularly for water heating applications.

Assessing performance of an external compound parabolic concentrator solar collector with cascaded latent heat thermal storage

“…Thermal energy storage (TES) is an efficient method for storing energy compared to other energy storage technologies. [1][2][3] Among the thermal energy storage, latent heat energy storage (LHTES) offers higher energy storage density and virtually isothermal storage and retrieval, as reported by Christopher et al 4 and Thakur et al 5 Latent heat storage frequently involves the use of phase change materials (PCMs), which are classified into three types: organic, inorganic, and eutectic mixes. The most desirable organic PCMs are paraffins due to their favorable phase change characteristics, such as congruent melting and solidification with negligible subcooling.…”

Experimental investigation in the selection of phase change materials based on thermal stratification effect in thermal energy storage system

“…Due to their energy storage density, latent heat thermal energy storage (LHTES) systems are promising TES systems. However, using phase change materials (PCMs) in LHTES systems is still a challenge for TES systems 5,6 . In the case of PCMs, low conductivity of material can lead to non‐uniform charging and discharging, resulting in incomplete phase changes and diminished performance 7,8 .…”