SOLAR ENERGY STORAGE BY USING PCM MATERIALS WITH FOUCUSING LENS

This Experimental work is on study of water desalination Processes using phase change
material (PCM) and connected to a solar system was carried out. The PCM is used to store
solar thermal energy collected by the system at daytime as latent heat, to provide heat during
night time thus continuous operation. Thermal energy storage system (TES) is having parts
like basin, tray, cooled glass and focusing lens. Water is in the basin and the PCM were
heated by direct solar radiation and desalination water is collected by tray it’s fixed in the
basin. The produced water vapour from the basin condensed on the inner side of the water
cooled glass cover. The water is condensate from salt water to fresh water. In this system we
were using the focusing lens and its increase the amount of freshwater produced were studied.
The production rate of desalinated water was proportional to the increase in ambient
temperature and hot water circulation flow rate. There also is an optimum value of cooling
water flow rate (about 12 ml/s) at which the unit productivity was the highest. Additionally,
as the water level in the basin increased the productivity decreased. The unit was capable of
producing 5600 ml/day.m2, of which means 55% was produced after sunset. This is
economically used in desert and rural areas and evaluation reveal that such units are feasible
mainly in remote areas.