Toward a new method for the design of combined sensible/latent thermal-energy storage using non-dimensional analysis

V. Becattini and A. Haselbacher

Applied Energy, 2019, vol. 247, issue C, 322-334

Abstract: Placing an encapsulated phase-change material (PCM) on top of a packed bed of sensible filler material is an effective way of reducing the drop in the heat-transfer fluid (HTF) outflow temperature during discharging associated with a sensible thermal-energy storage (TES). So far, the literature lacks guidelines for the design of a combined sensible/latent TES. This study aims at developing a new method for the design of combined TES based on non-dimensional analysis. The method will provide a designer with non-dimensional plots, produced from quasi-steady-state results of simulations with a one-dimensional model, that relate performance parameters to geometrical, thermophysical, and operational parameters of the combined TES. In this paper, a simplified version of the method is demonstrated that allows the selection of a metallic PCM and its amount such that a specified drop in the HTF outflow temperature is attained during discharging, assuming a fixed sensible section of natural rocks and air as HTF. The plots show that the drop in the outflow temperature during discharging is minimized by selecting a PCM with a melting temperature equal to 98% of the HTF inflow temperature during charging. The plots also show that the heat of fusion, provided it exceeds a threshold, has a subordinate effect on the drop in the outflow temperature. Finally, the plots show that a smaller heat of fusion can be compensated with a larger height of the latent section. The method is illustrated with a specific example.

Keywords: Thermal-energy storage; Sensible storage; Latent storage; Phase-change material; Design; Simulation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:appene:v:247:y:2019:i:c:p:322-334

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DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2019.03.022

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