Performance of a Domestic Oil Storage Tank During Charging and Discharing Cycles
Abstract
The overall experimental thermal performance for complete charging and discharging cycles of a 40 L Sunflower Oil storage tank is presented. Results of two complete charging and discharging cycles are presented. The oil is heated electrically using a copper spiral coil in thermal contact with electrical heaters. A spiral copper coil immersed in a water bath discharges the stored thermal energy. The first complete cycle charges at a low flow-rate of 0.6 L/min and discharges at a high flow-rate of 1.7 L/min. The second cycle charges at a high flow-rate of 1.8 L/min and discharges at a high flow-rate of 1.7 L/min. The charging energy and exergy rates for the first cycle are higher than that of the second cycle, however, the discharging energy and exergy rates are higher for the second cycle. Total stored energy and exergy values for the charging period are higher for the first cycle as compared to the second cycle. The stored energy and exergy are discharged more efficiently in the second cycle. The overall energetic and exergetic efficiencies of the second cycle are higher than those of the first cycle suggesting that a high charging and discharging flow-rate is essential to increase the overall efficiency of the system.