Integration of Solar Flat Plate Collector and Thermal Energy Storage for Heating Applications: An Experimental Study

Efforts to augment the transition from conventional energy sources have encouraged a meticulous investigation into non-conventional alternatives, particularly solar energy for heating applications. This research explores the efficacy of a system integrating a Solar Flat Plate Collector (SFPC) and a Thermal Energy Storage (TES) system in heating applications, thereby offering an innovative solution to contemporary energy challenges. In the proposed system, paraffin wax, functioning as a phase change material (PCM), was utilized in quantities of 100 kg in the SFPC and 200 kg in the TES. The SFPC employed air as the heat transfer fluid, while water was used in the TES. Solar radiation served as the energy source, heating the PCM in the SFPC to a fusion temperature of 35 degrees C. Heat was transported from the SFPC to the TES via the air, enabling effective energy storage. The heating application involved water circulation through the TES. Observations highlighted that the water exiting the TES for heating applications maintained a temperature of 36 degrees C. This outcome demonstrates the potential of the system to heat fluids for various applications as needed, emphasizing its versatility and utility. To ensure the reliability of these findings, a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis was performed, validating the experimental results. The study concludes that the proposed integrated system offers a viable solution for achieving desired fluid heating in diverse applications, thereby reiterating the potential of solar energy in non-conventional heating applications.