Paper Key : IRJ************049
Author: Varun Kumar,Arun,Akshay Kaarthik,Goshik Dharan
Date Published: 02 Apr 2025
Abstract
One of the most profuse and non-depletable sources of renewable energy is solar energy, and its implementation in water heating systems has attracted a lot of attention in recent times. A parabolic plate solar water heater is a high-end solar thermal system that employs a parabolic-shaped reflector to concentrate sunlight onto a receiver, thus increasing heat absorption and thermal efficiency.In order to further increase the efficiency of such systems, Phase Change Materials (PCM) are incorporated into the system design. PCMs can absorb, store, and release considerable amounts of latent heat during phase change, which supports a constant supply of hot water even at times of low solar radiation. This thermal energy storage function improves the overall performance and reliability of the solar water heater by minimizing temperature fluctuations and maximizing heat retention. The study of a parabolic plate solar water heater with PCM targets its understanding in terms of thermal performance, efficiency, and applicability towards real-world solutions. The core features of the study involve choosing material, the analysis of heat transfer, and the optimization of the system with a view towards optimum energy harvesting. With PCM incorporated, these systems can serve as a regular and efficient means of hot water supply, establishing them as one potential solution toward sustainable energy utilizations.
DOI Requested