The Experimental Performance Characterisation of a Three Module Phase Change Energy Storage System for Domestic Heating Applications
Abstract
The experimental thermal performance characterisation of a novel compact latent heat thermal energy storage unit comprised of three modules filled with a commercial phase change material (PCM) CrodaTherm™ 53 was undertaken using a recently developed thermal storage module characterisation facility. Details of the developed test facility, charge/discharge powers, fluid inlet temperatures and volume flows and levels of control that can be achieved are described. Each of the three modules employed in the characterized thermal store are rectangular in cross section with coiled finned heat exchangers submerged in the PCM and can be discharged singly or concurrently. Experimentally measured charge and discharge powers and outlet temperatures are presented for the case of a single module being discharged with 3 different heat transfer fluid volume flow rates and for the 3 modules when discharged concurrently operating in both series and parallel arrangements.