PERFORMANCE OF PARAFFIN AS PCM SOLAR THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE

Abstract

The continuous increase in the level of greenhouse gas
emissions and the rise in fuel prices are the main
driving forces behind the efforts for more effectively
utilize various sources of renewable energy. In many
parts of the world direct solar radiation is considered to
be one of the most prospective sources of energy. In
this study, the thermal performance of a phase change
thermal storage device is discussed. The storage unit is
a solar wax melting system being developed for latent
heat storage studies. Paraffin was used as PCM in
thermal energy storage with a melting temperature of
42-500C.This study is based on experimental results of
the PCM employed to analyze the thermal behavior of
the storage unit during the charge and discharge periods
of the paraffin. The time wise temperatures of the PCM
and solar intensity were recorded during the processes
of charging. The heat transfer characteristics were
studied.