Study on carnauba wax as phase-change material integrated in evacuated-tube collector for solar-thermal heat production

Abstract The evacuated-tube collector (ETC) for solar heat production is one of the most efficient systems to convert Sun energy into usable energy. Unfortunately, some technological barriers are still present in solar-thermal that limit use these technologies decarbonize processes. An important obstacle requirement at stable temperatures, which not always achievable by fields, e.g. variable sky. For reason, this work, we studied phase-change materials embedded ETC keep water temperature a short period (minutes, hours). In study, carnauba wax was used as sustainable material (PCM), avoid PCM based on hydrocarbon waxes. has been packaged using polyethylene bag inserted an with heat-pipe and tested. tested outdoors under irradiation shading conditions. experimental results show possible detect sensible effect 4 kg while there stabilization 9 PCM. Using PCM, observed stability outlet 65°C 30 minutes