Design of a Finned Plate Latent Heat Thermal Energy Storage System for Domestic Applications

In order to reduce the required volume for thermal energy storage, a finned plate latent heat thermal energy storage system for domestic applications is presented in this paper. This innovative design allows the exchanging of energy between water and the RT60, used as the phase change material. The simulation of that system is covered by a validated mathematical model. The model, based on a simplified numerical approach, is used for the optimal design of the final prototype, which is compared with a conventional 500 l hot water tank usually integrated in domestic heating and domestic hot water applications. It is obtained that the resulting design is in the order of one half of the water tank volume, resulting in a more compact configuration which can be easily integrated in the space. This solution will bring a great opportunity for thermal storage especially in those applications where there is a lack of available space, as it is the case of residential flats.