Numerical Research on Thermodynamic Properties of a Thermocline in Thermal Energy Storage Tank Based on Modified One-Dimensional Dimensionless Model

Haoran Ju, Lijun Zheng () and Wei Zhong ()
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Haoran Ju: Heating Research Center, Huadian Electric Power Research Institute, 2 Xiyuan Nine Road, Hangzhou 310030, China
Lijun Zheng: Heating Research Center, Huadian Electric Power Research Institute, 2 Xiyuan Nine Road, Hangzhou 310030, China
Wei Zhong: College of Energy Engineering, Zhejiang University, 38 Zheda Road, Hangzhou 310007, China

Energies, 2023, vol. 16, issue 22, 1-17

Abstract: The application of thermal energy storage (TES) has been proved effective to improve the energy utilization efficiency of renewable energy and industrial waste heat energy. In this paper, a modified one-dimensional dimensionless model for the thermocline thermal energy storage tank is derived to simulate the system more accurately. An adaptive strategy for solving region compartmentalization is proposed for reducing computing time. Based on the proposed model, the effects of three different parameters on the performance of the thermocline tank are studied. The results show that increasing the inlet velocity can reduce the thickness of the thermocline and improve the system efficiency. Increasing the temperature difference between hot and cold water leads to a thicker thermocline, but the thermal energy stored in the tank increases. Increasing the tank height has no effect on the motion characteristic of thermocline, but the system efficiency can be increased.

Keywords: thermocline; thermal energy storage tank; one-dimensional dimensionless model (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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