## 1 Introduction
The investigation leads to the determination of the first and second principles of thermodynamics, which state that thermal performance is increased when an obstruction is positioned parallel to the direction of flow. [PERSON] et al. conducted an experimental investigation to ascertain how the positioning of barriers affected the thermal performance of a horizontal mantled hot water tank [12]. According to their findings, installing barriers in a horizontal mantled hot water tank improved thermal performance and achieved an energy efficiency of more than 95%. [PERSON] et al. investigated the thermal behavior of a new mantle solar water tank with vertical inlet and outlet water pipes, both experimentally and numerically. They stated that the dimensionless parameter can well characterize the stratification and thermocline dynamics of the water in the water tank [13]. Researchers reported that the thickness of the thermocline gradually increased as the dimensionless time increased and the mixture in the water tank became denser in the discharge mode. They stated that the dimensionless exergy gradually decreases with the increase in dimensionless time. Along with PCMs, hot water tanks' overall efficiency and thermal stratification are greatly influenced by their geometry and design. In their study, [PERSON] et al. experimentally investigated the effects of different positions of phase change materials (PCM) inside a hot water storage tank [14]. Some PCM cylindrical capsules are intended to be placed in three circular, horizontal perforated plates that resemble baffles. In their investigation of the effects of tank design on thermal stratification, [PERSON] et al. found that tanks with sharp corners have better stratification than tanks with smooth surfaces [15]. This is explained by the fact that areas with static fluid lose less heat, which is especially important for horizontal designs. Likewise, thermal stratification is crucial for increasing the effectiveness of solar energy systems, according to [PERSON] and [PERSON], who also pointed out that stratified tanks naturally create layers of different temperatures, which maximizes energy storage [16]. Furthermore, a focus of recent research has been the incorporation of creative structures and designs into hot water tanks. By optimizing the structure of hot water storage tanks through numerical simulations, [PERSON] et al. showed that changes like octagonal water distributors can greatly enhance temperature stratification [17]. For combined heat and power systems, which depend on efficient thermal management, this is essential for optimizing efficiency. The literature has also discussed the operational diagnostics of hot water tanks. A new diagnostic technique was presented by [PERSON] et al. that makes it possible to evaluate the thermal conductivity coefficients in hot water storage tanks while they are in use [18]. This technique improves the design and operating efficiency of these systems by assisting in the identification of possible heat losses and assisting in the understanding of heat transfer dynamics. Numerous studies have emphasized the potential of horizontal hot water tanks as efficient thermal energy storage systems in the context of energy conservation. For example, [PERSON] et al. presented an economical approach to energy management in low-carbon futures by discussing the function of home hot water tanks in absorbing excess renewable energy [19]. The argument for improving tank designs to improve thermal performance is supported by the findings of [PERSON] et al., who showed that temperature stratified water tanks perform better in terms of energy efficiency than totally mixed tanks [20]. The prediction of the thermal behavior of mantle hot water tanks using artificial neural networks is a crucial area of research that combines the principles of thermal dynamics with advanced computational techniques.