STRATIFICATION ENHANCEMENT IN LIQUID THERMAL STORAGE TANKS

Performance gains may be realized in solar energy systems using sensible heat storage in water if thermal stratification can be promoted in the storage tank. The degree to which stratification can be achieved and maintained in a well-insulated tank designed for a diurnal cycle will depend most strongly on the way in which the hot water from the collector and the cool water returning from the load are introduced into the tank. Inlet manifolds are described in this paper which act to preserve stratification in a tank subjected to variable inlet temperature conditions. The performance of these manifolds is constructed with that of conventional inlets subjected to the same experimental conditions.