Effect of thermal energy storage material on the performance of double-pass solar air heater with cross-matrix absorber. (July 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sharol, A.F.; Razak, A.A.; Majid, Z.A.A.; Azmi, M.A.A.; Tarminzi, M.A.S.M.; Ming, Y.H.; Zakaria, Z.A.; Harun, M.A.; Fazlizan, A.; Sopian, K.
• Is Part Of: Journal of energy storage. Volume 51(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-07
• Subjects: Integrated cross-matrix absorber -- Double-pass solar air heater -- Solar thermal -- Phase change material; Energy storage -- Periodicals; Energy storage -- Research -- Periodicals; 621.3126
• DOI: 10.1016/j.est.2022.104494
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2352-152X

Abstract

Abstract: This study was to experimentally investigate the influence of thermal energy storage material inside the tube of a double-pass solar air heater with a cross-matrix absorber (DPSAH-CMA). The fabricated SAH was tested in both indoor and outdoor conditions under a variety of operating conditions. It was found that the DPSAH-CMA-with PCM achieve a better thermal buffer of −0.81 °C/min as compared to the one without PCM at a mass flow rate of 0.005 kg/s. PCM contributed to the increment of obtainable cumulative heat rate for DPSAH-CMA-with PCM as compared to the one without PCM with a maximum value of 1548.54 W at higher solar radiation of 900 W/m2. Storage efficiency of DPSAH-CMA-with PCM was maximum at a higher mass flow rate and directly proportional with solar radiation values. Performance comparison was conducted under the outdoor conditions in which the DPSAH-CMA-with PCM achieved higher thermal efficiency by 17% compared to DPSAH-CMA-without PCM. For the DPSAH-CMA-with PCM and without PCM, the exergy efficiency was 23% and 15%, respectively. The calculated cost-benefit ratio for DPSAH-CMA-with PCM was 0.17 RM/kWhr, which is 22% lower than the one without PCM. Highlights: The DPSAH-CMA-with PCM has a better thermal buffer and a maximum cumulative heat gain of 1548.54 W at 900 W/m 2 of solar radiation. Maximum storage efficiency of 60% is achieved by the DPSAH-CMA-with PCM at a higher mass flowrate and solar radiation Maximum energy and exergy efficiency for the DPSAH-CMA-with PCM was 68% and 23%, respectively. The DPSAH-CMA-with-PCM had a cost-effectiveness ratio of 0.17 RM/kWHr, which is lower than other double-pass solar air heaters.