Optimized flow distributor for stabilized thermal stratification in a single-medium thermocline storage tank: A numerical and experimental study

Wanruo Lou, Baoshan Xie, Julien Aubril, Yilin Fan, Lingai Luo and Arnaud Arrivé

Energy, 2023, vol. 263, issue PA

Abstract: This paper investigates the impact of flow injection on the temperature stratification inside single-medium thermocline storage tanks. Special focus is given on how to maintain the stable thermocline evolution during the dynamic charging or discharging operation, by using a new type of fluid diffuser, namely the Ring-Opening Plate Distributors (ROPDs). Firstly, the ROPDs are designed and the size distribution of the ring-shape openings is optimized by a simulation-based optimization algorithm. This diffuser concept has then been validated experimentally, showing its effectiveness in improving the charging and discharging efficiency of a laboratory-scale storage tank by up to 14.5% and 19.8%, respectively.

Keywords: Single-medium thermocline (SMT); Thermal energy storage (TES); Ring-opening plate distributor (ROPD); Flow distribution; Thermal stratification; Optimization (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:energy:v:263:y:2023:i:pa:s0360544222025956

DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2022.125709

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