Energetic Interest of the Use of Phase Change Materials in a Solar Domestic Hot Water System
Abstract
The introduction of phase change materials (PCM) into domestic hot water (DHW) systems is currently studied to try to increase their performances. However the effectiveness of such a use is not really proved in all configurations. The concepts of effectiveness and optimum can correspond to several definitions, which make the analysis even more complex. In this paper some elements of reflexion based on the exploitation of a model using energy balances have been developed. Simulations were performed to compare the performance of a solar DHW system with PCM to a similar system without PCM. The results depend on many factors, including site conditions, load profile, design of the system, type and amount of PCM. For the climate of Pau (south-west of France), the results indicate that the use of PCM into the selected storage tank does not provide a significant benefit.