| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1732611 | Energy | 2013 | 7 Pages |
•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.
