Effect of thermal storage on the performance of an air collector: A periodic analysis

Abstract This communication presents parametric studies of an air collector consisting of different thermal energy storage materials (concrete, brick, sand, ground, phase change material (PCM)) on top, but with soil provided at the bottom. The effect of storage material, optimization of length and thickness of storage material, and the effect of flow rate on outlet air temperature, useful energy gain and daily efficiency is reported. Numerical computations have been carried out for a typical day in the month of June for Delhi climatic conditions. It is observed that there is a significant phase shift (10–12 h) owing to the storage effect. The hourly maximum useful energy gain decreases with the fraction of storage material thickness, whereas the minimum amount increases and approaches the maximum value.