Experimental analysis of a domestic electric hot water storage tank. Part I: Static mode of operation

In this paper, the experimental analysis of the static mode of operation of a full-scale Domestic Electric Hot Water Storage Tank (DEHWST) with a capacity of 150 1 is reported. The main purpose of the analysis is to determine the thermal behaviour of the DEHWST for the static heating and cooling periods in order to characterize its performance. The analysis is based on experimental data taken from a tank provided by the manufacturer and equipped with an appropriate data acquisition system. The storage tank, the data acquisition system and the experimental methodology are described. Performance parameters to evaluate the energy and exergy efficiencies and thermal stratification are defined and obtained from the experimental data. The results of the analysis for different heating powers and tank pressures are shown and discussed. (C) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.