The objective of the present study was to investigate the thermal characteristics of paraffin in fabricated storage tank during charging and discharge processes. Experiments were performed with phase change materials in which PCM storage unit was designed and developed to enhance heat energy in PCM storage tank. PCM storage unit consisting number of copper tube each tube filled with PCM materials. During charging process heat energy can be stored in copper tube as latent heat, the same heat can be recovered during discharging process by applying cold water .This PCM storage unit kept in well insulated storage tank called PCM storage tank. It carries minimum of 45 litres capacity of water with glass wool insulation. Copper having high thermal conductivity hence in order to increases enhancement of heat, bundle of copper tubes were used to transfer heat from solar tank to PCM storage tank, PCM storage tank received hot water from solar tank, solar tank integrated with evacuated glass tubes collector. Solar energy has absorbed and stored in PCM storage unit as latent heat. Large quantity of solar energy can be stored in a day time and same heat can be retrieved for later use. The tank was instrumented to measure inlet and outlet water temperature. Flow meters are used to measure the mass flow rate at different interval of time. Then performance of charging and discharging as discussed.

Keywords: PCM storage unit, solar collector, thermal storage system, Copper tube, LHTSS