Computer-aided design for high efficiency latent heat storage - a case study of a novel domestic solar hot water process

摘要

Latent heat storage (LHS) with high energy storage density and near isotherm operation has emerged as an attractive sustainable alternative to the conventional sensible heat storage. In this paper, a novel domestic solar-assisted hot water (DSHW) process coupled to a LHS module is presented and assessed. Process simulation and sensitivity analyses are carried-out using an in-house 2-D dynamic model of the proposed DSHW. A simulation for a full year shows that with an appropriately customized design, the proposed process consumes about 86 % less fossil-fuel compared to a conventional system, demonstrating the superiority of LHS over sensible heat storage in this DSHW application. The examination of the controllability of the system is warranted in order to mitigate the overheating phenomenon. The optimization of the LHS medium properties should be explored to further enhance the efficiency of the process. The current design approach can be implemented for various LHS applications ranging from simple DSHW to the large concentrated solar thermal industrial applications.