Contents

Abstract......................................................................................................................................ii
1. Background &Justification.....................................................................................................1
2. Objective of Thesis.................................................................................................................4
3. Methodology..........................................................................................................................4
4. Expected Results....................................................................................................................5
5. Benefits and Beneficiaries of the Thesis................................................................................5
6. Work Plan...............................................................................................................................7
7. Estimated Cost of the Project.................................................................................................8
Reference..................................................................................................................................11

Abstract
Ethiopian is one of the countries with abundant renewable energy resources. Despite this fact
the country is dependent on very scarce biomass resource that has been the main reason for
the eradication of the countries forests. This proposal envisages the improving of solar water
heater storage systems for residence and industrial applications.
The objectives of the proposal are:
1. Asses and identify the solar energy resources at BahirDar and surroundings
2. Asses for water heater demands for households, vehicle workshops, industries,
restaurants, hotels and likes.
3. Design& fabricate improved solar water heater system for rural and urban
applications.
4. Determine the size of flat plate solar collector based on design parameters for water
heater (based on hot water demand application and available solar radiation for
specific site, for specific application)
5. Present environmental, economical, and social studies for solar water heater
application in the regions.
The methodologies to be employed to achieve the objectives are literature survey, collecting
the solar energy statistical data using experimental data & NMSA, questioner and interviews
in solar water heaters demand assessment and experience from other countries. The overall
activities envisaged in the project are grouped in t four programs. The first work program is
on literature study, while the three work programs are activities achieving the five specific
objectives outlined in the above.
The project will have the following work programs:
Work program 1: comprehensive literature study on solar water heater applications for rural
communities
Work program 2: Study of solar energy potential & hot water demand on the project area
Work program 3: Assessment & recommendation of solar energy technologies for the
selected sites.
Work program 4: Design and fabricate improved water heater system.
Detail activities under each work program are outlined in the proposal.

The expected outputs of the projects are : 1) Solar energy seasonal data will be collected for
the site, 2) Annual, Daily, and seasonal(periodic) rural community energy demand of the site
will be identified, 3) Detailed recommendation on solar energy technologies for rural and
urban applications of the site will be prepared, 4) Design and standards for solar water heaters
applications in residency hotels , industries etc will be prepared 5) A prototype solar water
heater will be developed and tested.
In addition to the above outputs senior student project reports, MSc. Thesis and research
paper will be published.
The main beneficiaries of the outcome of this project are the surrounding communities. The
project will provide them with an output of a detail study on solar heater technology that are
readily available for implement the recommendations and benefit from the supply of energy.
The national rural electrification program and researchers in field that benefit from the
project.

1. Background &Justification
These days energy has become the basic necessity for economic and technological progress
of a country as a result energy has been taken in to consideration for measurement of way of
life of people. Per capita consumption of energy is an index for level of development and
quality of life. Among all renewable sources of energy available, solar thermal energy is the
most abundant one and is available in both direct as well as indirect forms. The sun emits
23
14
energy at a rate of 3.8 10 KW, of which, approximately 1.8 1 0 KW is intercepted

by the earth, which is located about 150 million Km from the sun.
About 60

14
of this amount or 1.08 1 0
KW reaches the surface of the earth. The rest is

reflected back into space and absorbed by the atmosphere. About 0.1
converted at an efficiency of 10

of this energy,when

would generate four times the worlds total generating

capacity of about 3000GW.it is also worth noting that the total annual solar radiation falling
on the earth is more than 7500 times the worlds total annual primary energy consumption of
450 EJ.The annual solar radiation reaching the earths surface, approximately 3400000 EJ,
is an order of magnitude greater than all the estimated (discovered and undiscovered) nonrenewable energy resources, including fossil fuels and nuclear.
The effective use of solar energy is hindered by the intermittent nature of its available,
limiting its use and effectiveness in domestic applications, notably, and water heating. Some
throughway has been obtained through sensible Heat Storage (SHS) systems. However, these
require large storage capacity in order to cover a minimum of a couple of days with
intermittent usage. Storage of solar energy as sensible heat has been a cheap but inefficient
means of thermal Energy Storage (TES).conversely, latent Heat Thermal Energy Storage
(LHTES) systems using phase change materials (PCM) as a storage medium offers
advantages such as high heat storage capacity, small unit size and isothermal behaviour
during charging and discharging. However, these systems are not in commercial use as in the
case of SHS systems due to poor heat transfer rates during heat storage and recovery
processes. Using combined sensible and latent heat storage system eliminates some of the
difficulties experienced in the SHS and LHTES systems and possesses most of the
advantages of both. Latent heat storage has been receiving considerable attention only over
the last two decades, yielding promising results. Previous research on LHTES and SHS
system has pertained to the study of the performance characteristic of these systems,
4

theoretically and experimentally, predominantly using artificial heat sources. The majority of
the literature on research on the LHTES systems has been performed for shell and tube
arrangement, and more recently for spherical shells. Saitoh and Hirose [1] performed
theoretical and experimental investigation of transient thermal characteristics of a phase
change thermal storage unit using spherical capsule. Takayuki Watanabe et al [2] developed a
numerical model for prediction of the transient behaviour of the latent heat storage module.
The model is one-dimensional with a finite overall heat transfer coefficient between the PCM
and the heat transfer fluid (HTF). They conducted the experiments on the heat storage module
consisted of PCM (paraffin waxes) with different melting temperatures using water as
HTF.both the experimental and numerical results showed some improvements in charging
and discharging rates by use of thethree-typePCM.velraj et al [3].presented a numerical
study on the solidification of PCM inside vertical, internally finned tubes and proposed a two
dimensional model based on the enthalpy formulation. They recommended that for a given
quantity of heat to be extracted, the PCM,HFT and flow parameters are to be selected in such
a way to attain a combination of lower Biot number and higher Stefan number(within the
practical range)for the uniform extraction of heat. Cho and Choi [4] investigated the thermal
characteristics of paraffin in a spherical capsule during freezing and melting processes.
Experiments were performed with paraffin, i.e.n-tetradecane, and a mixture of n-tetrad cane
(40%) and n-hexadecane (60%) and water. The parameters were Reynolds number and the
inlet temperature during the freezing and melting process of the PCM thermal energy storage
system. Effective utilization of solar energy for water heating applications using combined
sensible heat and latent heat storage system presented by Nallusamy N. et al. [5]. However, a
very limited number of studies have been published on the thermal performance of the
LHTES system (employing PCM in various geometries) integrated with solar heating
systems. Fouad et al. [6] studied the characteristics of Glaubers salt as the PCM in the solar
storage system. The effect of several variables was studied over many complete cycles of the
unit, including variable HTF flow rate and inlet temperature, wall thickness, etc. Bellacci and
conti [7], using enthalpy method, numerically analysed the cyclic behaviour of a face change
solar shall and tube energy storage system. Mehling et al. [8] presented experimental and
numerical simulation result of energy storage density of solar hot water system using
different cylindrical PCM modules. Their results showed that adding PCM modules at the top
of the water tank would give the system higher storage density and compensate heat loss in
the top layer. Thermal performance of LHTES system integrated with solar heating system
was also investigated by Ghoneim et al. [9] , Hoogendoorn et al. [10] and Bansal et al.[11].
5

The objective of the present work is to experimentally investigate the thermal behaviour and
feasibility of a cylindrically encapsulated locally available PCM as a LHTES medium. A
storage tanks containing latent heat storage material is constructed to analyse the performance
of latent heat thermal.
Justification
The demand for conventional energy sources like gas, oil and coal and also electricity has
been increasing day-by-day in different sectors namely domestic, commercial and industrial
sectors to meet the growing requirement of hot water. In rural areas wood, farm waste, cow
dung cakes, etc. are used such applications. Cutting of wood has resulted in denudation of
forests and finally degradation of environmental and ecology. Electricity is in short supply for
industrial and agricultural applications as a result of which productivity is suffering. The
service of fossil fuel are limited which may be exhausting in a few decades. The load on
wood and conventional source of energy for water heating application can be reduced
drastically by using indigenous, field proven solar water heating technology available in
Ethiopia.
Application
Hotels, restaurants, hostels, departmental stores, schools, hospitals, factories, office canteens
and similar other commercial and industrial sectors agencies can switch over from using the
conventional systems to solar systems to meet their hot water requirement and save the
expenditure on energy and also avoid pollution from fuel fired boilers.

2. Objectives
2.1 General Objective
To investigate and feasibility study of locally available PCM as a heat storage medium.
2.2 Specific objectives
1. Asses and identify the solar energy resources at BaharDar and its surroundings.
2. Asses the for water heater demands for house hold, vehicle workshops, industries,
3.

restaurants, hotels and likes.

Design and fabricate improved solar heater system for experimental investigation for

small scale water heating use.

4. Determine the size of flat plate solar collector based on design parameters for water
heater (based on hot water demand application and available solar radiation for
specific site, for specific application)
5. Present environmental, economical, and social studies for solar water heater
application in the regions.

3. Methodology
Design and Fabricating experimental set up

design of solar water heater(flat plate collector)

design thermal storage thank with PCM

Manufacturing laboratory model

The laboratory model development is based on the parameters and specification calculated in
the design section, it includes.

Manufacturing solar water heater

Manufacturing TES tank with PCM
Encapsulating PCM with selected material.

Data collection

Meteorological data collection for the selected place from Ethiopia national

Meteorological Service Agency (NMSA) or its branch office in BahirDar.

Reviewing of books, internet sites, journals and magazines are the main sources that
assist the researcher to do the task properly.

4. Expected Results
By the completion of this thesis work the following are expected;
7

A packed LHTES system containing PCM in cylindrical capsules is designed and

fabricated
The thermal behavior of the LHTES system is investigated experimentally for various

operating condition.
The systems discharge characteristic with respect to the HTF are analyzed batch wise

discharge.
The feasibility of locally available material as LHTES will investigate.
Solar water heater is designed and fabricated.

5. Benefits and Beneficiaries of the Thesis

Benefits
The following benefits may be obtained from solar water heaters
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Solar energy is locally available and is free of cost

Solar energy does not leads to pollution
They are easy to install, operate and maintain
System do not require extra space as they can be mounted on roof tops, windows etc.
The initial investment although on higher side is fully recovered through saving in the
recurring fuel costs

As the benefits of this work are directly related to the use of thermal energy storage so that
we can classify the benefits based on the area of its impact;
Globally: the use of solar thermal energy instead of conventional energy source will reduce
the environmental impact so that we can environmentally safe with no fear of global warming
and other hazards.
Locally: designing a thermal energy storage tank with PCM (locally available material) will
reduce the use of conventional source for water heating and, manufacturing the laboratory
model will enhance local, manufacturers to engage in manufacturing TES tank using local
material and local technology.
Health: since renewable energy utilization reduce the emission of hazardous pollutants the
health of the people will be improved, in rural areas of the country the women use wood fire
to cook as well as to light, so that they will directly affected by it, but by incorporating this
renewable sources their healthy will be protected and then the country as well.
Beneficiaries
The major Beneficiaries of this work are the following;
8


Tasks

People who are located far from domestic electricity grid (off grid sites) and have no
Quarter 1

Quarter2

Quarter3

Quarter4

February

March

April

May

Week
Proposal writing
Comprehensive
research assessment
Data collection
Data analysis
Component design
Manufacturing of
laboratory model
Experimental test of
model
Documentation
Draft report
correction peer
discussion
Final report
submission

suitable energy supply to support their economy.

Local manufacturers, since the project will develop a laboratory model it will enhance
them to work on it and used as a model for them to develop their own, further more
will prove them the feasibility of an improvement of solar water heating system using

PCM.
It will enhance fir other researchers to work on different ways of improvement of
solar heating system.

6. Work Plan

7. Estimated Cost of the Project

Table 1: Operational cost
No.
1
2

Qualification
Researcher/staff
Student

Qty
1
1

Person-days
20
20

Cost per day Total cost

200
4000
100
2000

3
4
5
6
Sub- total

Welder
Michener
Painter
Assembling the experimental set up

2
1
1
2

4
10
1
1

50
50
100
100

Unit
Rim
Pcs
Pcs
Packet
No
No
Pcs
Pkt
Pcs
Pcs
Pkt
Pcs
No
No

Qty
5
3
10
2
1
4
1
5
1
1
1
1
1
1

Unit price(Birr)
120
200
3.50
10
30
15
25
8
150
500
200
685
3500
1000

400
500
100
200
4100

Table 2: Stationary cost

No.
Item
1
Photocopy paper
2
Reference book
3
pen
4
Stapler pin
5
Stapler
6
Note book
7
Fixer
8
Lead
9
Calculator
10
Flash disk 4GB
11
CD-RW
12
Bag
13
Digital camera
14
Scanner
Sub- total

Total(Birr)
600
600
350
20
30
60
25
40
150
500
200
685
3500
1000
6760

Table 3: Transport cost

No.
1

Description
Qty
BahirDar to Addis Ababa to Adama (round trip, data 2

Unit cost
500

Total cost
1000

500
1500

collection from Ethiopia Metrology station visiting installed

solar water heaters and solar water heater supplies and
manufacturers)
2
Taxi transport
Sub- total

Table 4: Cost of Manufacturing material

No.
1
2
3

Material
Copper pipe
Steel pipe
Glass

Unit
M
M
m2

Quantity
30
24
3

Unit price(Birr)
120
50
150

Total(Birr)
3600
1200
450

4
5

Water pump
Sheet

Pcs
m2

1
10

2800
300

2800
3000

6
7

thickness=15mm)
Insulating material (glass wool)
Roll
PCM(paraffin wax/bee wax or other locally kg

14
10

80
100

1120
1000

8
9
10

available)
Pipe fittings and connections
Plumber (thickness =50mm)
Chip wood(thickness =16mm)

8
2

50
100

1500
400
200

11

Aluminium sheet for cladding (thickness

13

200

2600

2
-

50
1000

100
1000
18970

metal(stainless

steel

M
m2

=5mm)
12
Spray black
13
Energy cost
Sub- total

m2
Pcs
-

Table 5: Miscellaneous expenses

No.

Description

Unit

Quantity

Unit price

Total

1
2
3
4
5
Sub- total

Photocopy
Print
Color Print
Binding
Telephone

Pages
Pages
Pages
no
-

1000
2000
50
6
-

0.50
1.00
20
100
-

500
2000
1000
600
1500
4300

Table 6: Summary of project cost

No.
1

Item
Operational cost

Sub-total(Birr)
4100

Contingency (10%Birr)
410

Total(Birr)
2510

Stationary cost

1500

150

2550

Transport cost

4300

430

1650

Cost of Manufacturing material

6760

676

7436

Miscellaneous expenses

18970

1897

4730

Grand total

16,000

Reference
[1]

Saitoh, T., Hirose, K., 1986. High performance phase-change thermal energy storage
using spherical capsules. Chemical; Engg. Commun, 41:39-58

[2]

Takayaki Watanabe, Hisashi Kikuchi and Atsushi Kanzawa. 1993, Enhancement of

charging and discharging rates in a Latent Hear Storage System by use of PCM with
different melting temperatures:, Heat Recovery Systems& CHP, 13:57-66.

[3]

Velraj,R. and Seeniraj, R.V ., 1999, Heat transfer studies during solidification of
PCM inside an enternally finned tube , Journal of Heat Transfer , 121: 493-497.

[4]

Keumnam Cho and Choi, S.H., 2000, thermal characteristics of paraffin in a

spherical capsule during freeing and melting process, Int. J. Heat and Mass Transfer,
43:

[5]

Nallusamy, N. 2003, Effective utilization of solar energy for water Heating

applications using Combined sensible and Latent heat storage system, Proc.of the
International Conference on New Millennium Alternate Energy Solutions for
sustainable development, PSG Tech, 103-108

[6]

Fouda, A.E., Despault, G.J.G., Taylor, J.B., and Capes, C.E. Solar storage systems
using salt hydrate latent heat and direct contact heat exchange-II Characteristics of
pilot system operating with sodium sulphate solution, Solar Energy, 1984, 32(1), 5765

[7]

Bellecci, C., Conti, M., 1993a, Phase change thermal storage: transient behavior
analysis of a solar receiver/storage module using the enthalpy method, Int. J. Heat
Mass Transfer, 36: 2157-2163.

[8]

Mehling, H., Cabeza, L.F., Hippeli, S., Hiebler, S., 2003, PCM-module to improve
hot water heat stores with stratification, Renewable Energy, 28(5): 699-711.

[9]

Ghoneim, A.A., Klein, S.A., The effect of phase-change material properties on the
performance of solar air-based heating systems, Solar Energy, 1989, 42(6), 441 - 447

[10]

Hoogendoorn, C.J., Bart, G. C. J., Performance and modeling of latent heat stores,
Solar Energy, 48(1), 53-58.

[11]

Bansal, N. K., Buddhi, D., Performance equation of a collector cum storage using
phase change materials, Solar Energy, 1992, 48(3),185-194.

[12]

The Ethiopian reporter, (2011), retrieved from www.ethioreporter.comm Saturday 31,

July 2010, 11:54 Ethiopia

[13]

Proceeding of Energy Conference 2002 UNCC, Addis Ababa September 2002