Solar hot water storage + paraffin wax?

buffalobillpatrick · 03-22-14, 08:59 PM

From this study:
http://www.worldenergy.org/documents...papers/412.pdf

Paraffin:
coefficient of thermal conduction – solid = .2W/mK
coefficient of thermal conduction – liquid = .15W/mK

Paraffin is a pretty good insulator (both thermal & electrical)

They put the paraffin into vertical SS 2.35" (60mm) tubes to increase surface area.
But they were looking for quick freeze/thaw times.

It seems that a 275gal IBC Tote tank won't have enough surface area? for a daily freeze/ thaw, but do I need that?

If I get enough winter solar gain that on average all the paraffin gets melted, then I think I can make it through 3-4 days of bad solar conditions with useful heat in tank. ?????

BBP

03-22-14, 08:59 PM	#11
buffalobillpatrick Master EcoRenovator Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Florissant, Colorado Posts: 599 Thanks: 814 Thanked 59 Times in 55 Posts	From this study: http://www.worldenergy.org/documents...papers/412.pdf Paraffin: coefficient of thermal conduction – solid = .2W/mK coefficient of thermal conduction – liquid = .15W/mK Paraffin is a pretty good insulator (both thermal & electrical) They put the paraffin into vertical SS 2.35" (60mm) tubes to increase surface area. But they were looking for quick freeze/thaw times. It seems that a 275gal IBC Tote tank won't have enough surface area? for a daily freeze/ thaw, but do I need that? If I get enough winter solar gain that on average all the paraffin gets melted, then I think I can make it through 3-4 days of bad solar conditions with useful heat in tank. ????? BBP Last edited by buffalobillpatrick; 03-22-14 at 09:05 PM..