Abstract
The thermal performance of the thermosyphon solar water heater was analyzed to show its applicability in a tropical climate using data of cloudy, sunny and hazy days. The average daily efficiency of the parallel-connected module, ranged between 35 and 40%. Also, an analysis of the temperature storage characteristics of a novel fibre-reinforced plastic (FRP) storage tank was undertaken. The inlet andoutlet positions were determined using the recommendation of Simon and Wenxian [1]: the optional position for the inlet/outlet was around the very top/bottom of the tank. The obtained results showed that the coupled FRP tank substantially retained and delivered the stored hot water during off-sunshine hours with minimal losses, and stratification occurred in the tank as a result. In view of the thermal performance, FRP materials can be efficiently employed in the design of solar hot water storage tanks.
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Nwosu, P.N., Oparaku, O.U., Okonkwo, W.I. et al. Experimental study of a thermosyphon solar water heater coupled to a fibre-reinforced plastic (FRP) storage tank. Appl. Sol. Energy 47, 207–212 (2011). https://doi.org/10.3103/S0003701X11030157
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3103/S0003701X11030157