Effect of Circular Fins on Latent Heat Storage to Enhance Solar Water Heater, an Experimental Study

In natural circulation solar water heating, the efficiency of energy storage and solar collector can be improved if the water tank is stratified. Employing Phase Change Material (PCM) in the top of the tank will improve the stratification of the energy storage tank. Current paper studies the use of circular fins around PCM geometry with high surface to volume ratio to improve the efficiency of solar water heater. Heating and cooling tests have been performed in a domestic water heater with flat plate collector under real working conditions. Eventually the temperature distribution along the height of the storage tank, charging energy efficiency, collector efficiency have been calculated and compared. Tests have been simulated in CFD software for validating results. Addition of circular fins around PCM produces up to 5% and 36.48% improvement in tank charging energy efficiency, collector efficiency respectively because of improved heat transfer between PCM and water.