Development and Results from Application of PCM-Based Storage Tanks in a Solar Thermal Comfort System of an Institutional Building—A Case Study
F. Javier Batlles,
Bartosz Gil,
Svetlana Ushak,
Jacek Kasperski,
Marcos Luján,
Diana Maldonado,
Magdalena Nemś,
Artur Nemś,
Antonio M. Puertas,
Manuel S. Romero-Cano,
Sabina Rosiek,
Mario Grageda
Affiliations
F. Javier Batlles
Departamento de Química y Física, Universidad de Almería, 04120 Almería, Spain
Bartosz Gil
Faculty of Mechanical and Power Engineering, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Wybrzeże Wyspiańskiego 27, 50-370 Wrocław, Poland
Svetlana Ushak
Department of Chemical Engineering and Mineral Processing, and Center for Advanced Study of Lithium and Industrial Minerals (CELiMIN), Universidad de Antofagasta, Antofagasta 02800, Chile
Jacek Kasperski
Faculty of Mechanical and Power Engineering, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Wybrzeże Wyspiańskiego 27, 50-370 Wrocław, Poland
Marcos Luján
Departamento de Ciencias Exactas e Ingeniería, Universidad Católica Boliviana San Pablo, Unidad Académica de Cochabamba, Cochabamba, Bolivia
Diana Maldonado
Departamento de Ciencias Exactas e Ingeniería, Universidad Católica Boliviana San Pablo, Unidad Académica de Cochabamba, Cochabamba, Bolivia
Magdalena Nemś
Faculty of Mechanical and Power Engineering, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Wybrzeże Wyspiańskiego 27, 50-370 Wrocław, Poland
Artur Nemś
Faculty of Mechanical and Power Engineering, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Wybrzeże Wyspiańskiego 27, 50-370 Wrocław, Poland
Antonio M. Puertas
Departamento de Química y Física, Universidad de Almería, 04120 Almería, Spain
Manuel S. Romero-Cano
Departamento de Química y Física, Universidad de Almería, 04120 Almería, Spain
Sabina Rosiek
Departamento de Química y Física, Universidad de Almería, 04120 Almería, Spain
Mario Grageda
Department of Chemical Engineering and Mineral Processing, and Center for Advanced Study of Lithium and Industrial Minerals (CELiMIN), Universidad de Antofagasta, Antofagasta 02800, Chile
An important element of a solar installation is the storage tank. When properly selected and operated, it can bring numerous benefits. The presented research relates to a project that is implemented at the Solar Energy Research Center of the University of Almeria in Spain. In order to improve the operation of the solar cooling and heating system of the Center, it was upgraded with two newly designed storage tanks filled with phase change materials (PCM). As a result of design works, commercial material S10 was selected for the accumulation of cold, and S46 for the accumulation of heat, in an amount of 85% and 15%, respectively. The article presents in detail the process of selecting the PCM material, designing the installation, experimental research, and exergy analysis. Individual tasks were carried out by research groups cooperating under the PCMSOL EUROPEAN PROJECT. Results of tests conducted on the constructed installation indicate that daily energy saving when using a solar chiller with PCM tanks amounts to 40% during the cooling season.
