Performance evaluation of a solar flat plate air heater integrated with Zinc oxide based nano-enhanced phase change materials

Abstract

This study experimentally explores the thermal energy storage and conversion behaviour of a solar flat plate air heater system (SFPAHS) integrated with ZnO–Ne–PCM. For, this real-time test rigs with paraffin wax (case – I) and with ZnO – Ne – PCMs (case – II) are observed in the locations of Tiruchirappalli (10° 47' 25'' N and 78° 42' 17'' E), Tamil Nadu, India. Both experiments were steered under identical operating and climatic conditions, and SFPAHS performance was assessed based on the temperature difference between the inlet and the outlet (⊿T) and total useful energy gain (Q TUEG ). The overall thermal performance recorded by case – II is 28.73% higher than the case – I. This variation clearly highlights enhanced heat storage ability of ZnO – Ne – PCM. The results show that ZnO – Ne – PCM enhances not only the heat retention but also the thermal stability, leading to enhanced solar energy utilization. The uniqueness of this research lies in indicating the superior energy performance of SFPAHS with ZnO–Ne–PCM compared to conventional without PCM.