Design and cost evaluations of solar energy and waste heat utilization systems with latent thermal storage unit using form-stable high-density polyethylene.

Abstract

Conceptual designs and cost evaluations were made for three solar thermal application systems and a waste heat recovery system with a latent thermal storage unit using form-stable high-density polyethylene. A detailed design of the storage unit shows that it is economically competitive with other thermal energy storage devices such as the steam accumulator. The solar air conditioning system and the waste heat recovery system with this storage unit are feasible. On the other hand, the solar thermal power generation systems with collectors of non-tracking and nonconcentrating type are not cost-effective, mainly due to low conversion efficiency arising from the low operating temperature. System simulations of the two promising systems were carried out.