Thermal analysis of a novel fibre-reinforced plastic solar hot water storage tank

• A fibre-reinforced plastic (FRP) hot water storage tank was developed in the present study.
• The main object for the development was to develop a long term storage unit.
• The storage unit can efficiently retain and deliver stored hot water from solar collectors, and sources of hydrothermal fluids.
• Results show that the tank can substantially retain the stored hot water with minimal losses.
• Thermal stratification occurred in the tank as a result.

A fibre-reinforced plastic (FRP) hot water storage tank was developed in the present study. The main object for the development of the tank was to provide a long term storage unit that can efficiently retain and deliver stored hot water from solar collectors, and several other sources of hydrothermal fluids. A specific object was to use low-cost materials which can be easily moulded into a variety of shapes without requiring highly specialized industrial processes, as well as reduce the weight of the tank while making it withstand pressures substantially above the ambient. Results confirmed a superior storage performance over time with minimal losses. A thermal analysis was performed which showed that ambient and geometric parameters as well as the tank insulation material properties can significantly impact the storage performance.