SOLAR WATER HEATER USING PHASE CHANGE MATERIAL

Mechanical Engineering

Solar energy is available in ample amounts throughout the year and can be used for heating and power generation purposes. The present work has been undertaken to study the feasibility of storing solar energy using Phase Change Materials (PCMs) and utilizing this energy to heat water for domestic purposes during night time This ensures that hot water is available throughout the day. The system consists of solar water heater and a heat storage unit filled by phase change material(PCM). The use of latent heat storage system using phase change material(PCM) is an effective way of storing thermal energy as it has high-energy storage density. Parrafin wax that commercially available in the market used for heat storage material. They store 5-14 times more heat per unit volume than sensible storage material such as earth, masonry or rock. The main aim of this work is the design of a solar water heater in which a wax type Phase Change Material (PCM) is used as the heat storage substance. The storage unit stores the heat in PCMs during the day and supplies hot water during the night. The storage unit utilizes small cylinders, made of aluminum, filled with paraffin wax as the heat storage medium.

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