TY - JOUR
T1 - Experimental study of temperature stratification in an integrated collector-storage solar water heater with two horizontal tanks
AU - Madhlopa, A.
AU - Mgawi, R.
AU - Taulo, J.
PY - 2006/8
Y1 - 2006/8
N2 - The effect of tank-interconnection geometry on temperature stratification in an integrated collector-storage solar water (ICSSW) heater with two horizontal cylindrical tanks has been studied. The tanks were parallel to each other, and separated horizontally and vertically, with the lower tank fitted directly below a glass cover, and half of the upper tank insulated. In addition, a truncated parabolic concentrator was fitted below the tanks, with its focal line along the axis of the upper tank. The heater was tested outdoors with the two tanks connected in parallel (P), and S1-and S2-series configurations, with and without hot water draw-off. Water temperature was monitored during solar collection and hot water draw-offs. For the heat charging process, it was found that only the lower tank exhibited temperature stratification in the P-and S1-tank modes of operation. There was satisfactory temperature stratification in both tanks in the S2-tank configuration. For the hot water draining process, the P-tank configuration exhibited some degree of stratification in both tanks. A significant loss of stratification was observed in the lower tank, with the upper tank exhibiting practical stratification, when the system was operated in the S1-tank mode. The S2-tank interconnection maintained a satisfactory degree of temperature stratification in both tanks. So, the S2-tank mode of operation was most effective in promoting practical temperature stratification in both tanks during solar collection and hot water draw-offs. Other results are presented and discussed in this paper.
AB - The effect of tank-interconnection geometry on temperature stratification in an integrated collector-storage solar water (ICSSW) heater with two horizontal cylindrical tanks has been studied. The tanks were parallel to each other, and separated horizontally and vertically, with the lower tank fitted directly below a glass cover, and half of the upper tank insulated. In addition, a truncated parabolic concentrator was fitted below the tanks, with its focal line along the axis of the upper tank. The heater was tested outdoors with the two tanks connected in parallel (P), and S1-and S2-series configurations, with and without hot water draw-off. Water temperature was monitored during solar collection and hot water draw-offs. For the heat charging process, it was found that only the lower tank exhibited temperature stratification in the P-and S1-tank modes of operation. There was satisfactory temperature stratification in both tanks in the S2-tank configuration. For the hot water draining process, the P-tank configuration exhibited some degree of stratification in both tanks. A significant loss of stratification was observed in the lower tank, with the upper tank exhibiting practical stratification, when the system was operated in the S1-tank mode. The S2-tank interconnection maintained a satisfactory degree of temperature stratification in both tanks. So, the S2-tank mode of operation was most effective in promoting practical temperature stratification in both tanks during solar collection and hot water draw-offs. Other results are presented and discussed in this paper.
KW - temperature stratification
KW - horizontal tanks
KW - tank interconnection
UR - http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/0038092X
U2 - 10.1016/j.solener.2005.06.019
DO - 10.1016/j.solener.2005.06.019
M3 - Article
SN - 0038-092X
VL - 80
SP - 989
EP - 1002
JO - Solar Energy
JF - Solar Energy
IS - 8
ER -