Heat transfer correlations for vertical mantle heat exchangers

This paper investigates heat transfer in vertical mantle heat exchangers for application in low flow solar domestic hot water systems. Two new heat transfer correlations for vertical mantle heat exchangers with top entry port and bottom exit ports are developed. The correlations are based on computational fluid dynamic modelling of whole vertical mantle tanks. The correlations are combined with a heat storage model in a simulation program that predicts the yearly thermal performance of low flow solar domestic hot water systems based on mantle tanks. The model predictions of energy gains and temperatures are compared with outdoor measurements and the model is found to give reliable results.