Experimental study of thermally stratified hot water storage tanks

Temperature stratification in hot water storage systems was studied experimentally. In particular, high extraction rates from plastic cylindrical vessels were emphasized. Data were taken at various length to diameter ratios, inlet-outlet temperature differences and mass flow rates. The effect of inlet and exit port configuration on thermal stratification was also studied. The data were empirically correlated to yield useful relations for the design of effective hot water storage systems. Finally, a novel inlet and exit configuration scheme was designed for an 80 gal. (300 l.) and a 500 gal. (1900 l.) storage tank.