Energetic and exergetic performances of an economical and available integrated solar storage collector based on concrete matrix

This paper deals with an experimental study of an inexpensive integrated solar storage collector (ISSC) of total aperture area of 2 m2, used for the providing of domestic hot water. The ISSC is characterised by an absorber matrix made up of a thin cement concrete slab which performs the function of both absorbing and storing of the solar thermal energy. Inside the concrete absorber was embedded a cooper pipe network. Outdoor experiments were carried out under varied environmental conditions for several days during three consecutive months (from November 2007 to February 2008). The experiments were carried out by measuring the climatic variables, temperatures in different parts of the collectors, and mass flow rates of water, during the test days. Based on these measurements, the behavior of the systems was analyzed by comparing exit temperatures, heat losses, and delivered useful energy. A detailed energy and exergy analysis was carried out for evaluating the thermal and optical performance, exergy losses as well as exergetic efficiency for ISSC under given operating conditions. Results shows that the integrated solar storage collector, having energetic and exergetic efficiencies of 32% and 23.5% respectively, provides acceptable stored thermal heat rate by supplying approximately 80% in domestic hot water requirements for a family composed of 5–6 persons. An economic evaluation was made considering the investment time recovery through the system. The results obtained from the ISSC system were compared with the results obtained from a high quality thermosyphon solar system composed of a flat-plate collector (with a total aperture area of 2 m2) and its corresponding insulated storage tank (200 l), tested at the same time.