Design and fabrication of solar water geyser with phase change material

Project Title

Design and fabrication of solar water geyser with phase change material

Project Area of Specialization Mechatronics EngineeringProject Summary

Introduction:

Hot water is a necessity in winter season. Most water geysers run on gas but during winter season there is shortage of gas in Pakistan. This water geyser uses solar energy to heat water. Although solar energy is not available during night time but phase change material (PCM) will help us to provide hot water throughout the day. Without any use of conventional energy water is heated. Such water geysers can replace the conventional geysers.

Phase change material:

Paraffin wax will be used as phase change material in this project. The main reason for choosing paraffin wax is that it is cheap then others materials and easily available.

Main components:

Solar collector:

A solar collector is a device that collects and concentrates solar radiation from the Sun. These devices are primarily used for active solar heating and allow for the heating of water for personal use. These collectors are generally mounted on the roof and must be very sturdy as they are exposed to a variety of different weather conditions.

Phase change material cylinder:

PCM Cylinder contains spiral copper tubes. The tank will be made up of aluminum and coated with glass wool. The cylinder will be filled with phase change material and the water will pass through the copper tubes.

Temperature control system:

The controlled variable, ‘temperature’ is measured by a suitable sensor such as a thermocouple, RTD, thermistor or infra-red pyrometer and converted to a signal acceptable to the controller.

The controller compares the temperature signal to the desired temperature (setpoint) and actuates the final control device. The final control device then allow the water to pass through it if temperature is more then the setpoint temperature.

Project Objectives

To design and fabricate solar water geyser with phase change material

Project Implementation Method

During day time water will get hot through solar radiations and the PCM in the cylinder gets charged through that hot water. When there is no solar radiation (during the night or during cloudy weather), the PCM will discharge and transfer its thermal energy to the cold water and hence raises its temperature. If the water passes through the PCM cylinder and the temperature is less then required then water will recirculate through the cylinder with the help of temperature control system.

During day time the PCM will become liquid by gaining heat energy from the coming hot water. During night time the PCM will transfer its energy to coming cold water and become solid again.

Benefits of the Project

• Water is heated by clean energy 
• One time investment
• Maintenance cost is low
• Saving of gas

Technical Details of Final Deliverable

Solar collector

Aluminium cylinder to store 50 kg phase change material

Copper tubes

Glass wool to cover the cylinder

Temperature control system

Water pump

Paraffin wax 50 kg

Solenoid valve

Final Deliverable of the Project HW/SW integrated systemCore Industry Energy Other Industries Energy Core Technology Clean TechOther Technologies Clean TechSustainable Development Goals Affordable and Clean EnergyRequired Resources

Item Name	Type	No. of Units	Per Unit Cost (in Rs)	Total (in Rs)
			Total in (Rs)	59500
Solar collector	Equipment	1	30000	30000
Paraffin wax	Equipment	50	150	7500
Aluminium cylinder	Equipment	1	10000	10000
Pump	Equipment	1	2500	2500
Control system	Equipment	1	2500	2500
Stationary,Transportation,Printing	Miscellaneous	1	5000	5000
solenoid valve	Equipment	2	1000	2000