Experimental study of thermal stratification effects via conic obstacles placed inside the vertical mantled hot water tank

There are several methods of solar energy utilization. Besides, the most common method is thermal applications of solar energy. The thermal applied systems converts solar energy to thermal energy. Solar hot water systems are the most common thermal applications of solar energy. The applications that work with renewable energy sources like solar energy can only be actively used at times when radiation is present. Thermally storing of solar energy makes it possible for these systems to operate under the absence of radiation. Hot water tanks are the most employed types within sensible thermal energy storing systems. There are a lot of hot water tank models in practice. Besides, one of the most employed within these tanks is mantled hot water tank. Thermal stratification is the most important performance criteria in mantled hot water tanks and the other tank models. Enhancement of thermal stratification increases the thermal performance of the system. In this study, enhancement of thermal stratification and thermal performance of the system via conic obstacles and smooth circular obstacle was investigated experimentally on vertical mantled hot water tank. In accordance with experiment data, degree of thermal stratification of the system was determined for each obstacle and obstacle position.