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Domestic Hot Water Storage Tank Utilizing Phase Change Materials (PCMs): Numerical Approach

Author

Listed:
  • Ayman Bayomy

    (Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada)

  • Stephen Davies

    (Ecologix Heating Technologies Inc., Cambridge, ON N1R 7L2, Canada)

  • Ziad Saghir

    (Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada)

Abstract

Thermal energy storage (TES) is an essential part of a solar thermal/hot water system. It was shown that TES significantly enhances the efficiency and cost effectiveness of solar thermal systems by fulfilling the gap/mismatch between the solar radiation supply during the day and peak demand/load when sun is not available. In the present paper, a three-dimensional numerical model of a water-based thermal storage tank to provide domestic hot water demand is conducted. Phase change material (PCM) was used in the tank as a thermal storage medium and was connected to a photovoltaic thermal collector. The present paper shows the effectiveness of utilizing PCMs in a commercial 30-gallon domestic hot water tank used in buildings. The storage efficiency and the outlet water temperature were predicted to evaluate the storage system performance for different charging flow rates and different numbers of families demands. The results revealed that increases in the hot water supply coming from the solar collector caused increases in the outlet water temperature during the discharge period for one family demand. In such a case, it was observed that the storage efficiency was relatively low. Due to low demand (only one family), the PCMs were not completely crystallized at the end of the discharge period. The results showed that the increases in the family’s demand improve the thermal storage efficiency due to the increases in the portion of the energy that is recovered during the nighttime.

Suggested Citation

  • Ayman Bayomy & Stephen Davies & Ziad Saghir, 2019. "Domestic Hot Water Storage Tank Utilizing Phase Change Materials (PCMs): Numerical Approach," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-11, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:12:y:2019:i:11:p:2170-:d:237712
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mehling, H. & Cabeza, L.F. & Hippeli, S. & Hiebler, S., 2003. "PCM-module to improve hot water heat stores with stratification," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 28(5), pages 699-711.
    2. Guarino, Francesco & Athienitis, Andreas & Cellura, Maurizio & Bastien, Diane, 2017. "PCM thermal storage design in buildings: Experimental studies and applications to solaria in cold climates," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 185(P1), pages 95-106.
    3. Enibe, S.O, 2002. "Performance of a natural circulation solar air heating system with phase change material energy storage," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 27(1), pages 69-86.
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    Cited by:

    1. Nishant Modi & Xiaolin Wang & Michael Negnevitsky, 2023. "Solar Hot Water Systems Using Latent Heat Thermal Energy Storage: Perspectives and Challenges," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(4), pages 1-20, February.
    2. Sandra Cunha & Antonella Sarcinella & José Aguiar & Mariaenrica Frigione, 2023. "Perspective on the Development of Energy Storage Technology Using Phase Change Materials in the Construction Industry: A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(12), pages 1-32, June.
    3. Waleed Zakri & Sofiene Mellouli & Yahya Fageehi, 2022. "Performance Assessment of Three Latent Heat Storage Designs for a Solar Hot Water Tank," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-16, December.
    4. Ding, Zhixiong & Wu, Wei & Leung, Michael, 2021. "Advanced/hybrid thermal energy storage technology: material, cycle, system and perspective," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 145(C).
    5. Mikhail A. Sheremet, 2021. "Numerical Simulation of Convective-Radiative Heat Transfer," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-3, August.

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