Investigation of sensible and latent heat storage system using Iraqi paraffin wax as storage media

Iraqi paraffin wax grade (A) was used in this work used as a latent heat storage (LHS) was placed in a vertical cylindrical heat storage container (HSC) and a vertical single pipe for heat exchange purpose was also inserted in the container. In this setup, the phase change characteristics of wax during solidification are measured by monitoring the temperature profiles within the container. Energy was supplied to the sample from a resistance heater placed around the outside surface of the container. In an attempt to gain extra heat storage, a sensible heat material consisted of fourteen-cupper fins pipe inside wax sample, while in other system an open-ended wire mesh cylinder made out of steel is embedded in the sample. It was found that the flow rates were largely influenced by the type of system used. This work revealed the advantage of using finned pipe for heat exchange, with finned pipe system, higher rates of heat flow were obtained. Whereas small advantage was gained by adding steel mesh