Exergetic Analysis of Energy Storage using Multiple Phase-Change Materials

1996 ◽  
Vol 118 (3) ◽  
pp. 242-248 ◽  
Author(s):  
Z.-X. Gong ◽  
A. S. Mujumdar
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Energy Storage ◽  
Phase Change ◽  
Infinite Number ◽  
Phase Change Materials ◽  
Heat Transfer Fluid ◽  
Distributed Model ◽  
Multiple Phase ◽  
Charge Process ◽  
Exergetic Analysis

This paper presents an exergetic analysis of the charge process in energy storage using multiple phase-change materials (PCMs). Thermal storage using two, three, five, as well as an infinite number of PCMs is analyzed with a distributed model for the heat transfer fluid. Analytical results show the relative merits of using multiple PCMs compared with a single PCM for thermal energy storage. Sample results are presented and discussed.

scholarly journals Investigation of the dynamic characteristics of a thermal energy storage unit filled with multiple phase change materials

2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (Suppl. 2) ◽  
pp. 527-533 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoyan Li ◽  
Rongpeng Huang ◽  
Xinyue Miao ◽  
Xuelei Wang ◽  
Yabin Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Energy Storage ◽  
Phase Change ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Thermal Energy Storage ◽  
Phase Change Materials ◽  
Storage Systems ◽  
Heat Transfer Fluid ◽  
Energy Storage Systems ◽  
Thermal Energy Storage Systems

In order to improve the thermal performance of thermal energy storage systems, a packed bed thermal energy storage systems unit using spherical capsules filled with multiple phase change materials (multi-PCM) for use in conventional air-conditioning systems is presented. A 3-D mathematical model was established to investigate the charging characteristics of the thermal energy storage systems unit. The optimum proportion between the multi-PCM was identified. The effects of heat transfer fluid-flow rate and heat transfer fluid inlet temperature on the liquid phase change materials volume fraction, charging time and charging capacity of the thermal energy storage system unit are studied. The results indicate that the charging capacity of multi-PCM units is higher than that of the conventional single-PCM (HY-2). For proportions 0:1:0, 2:3:3, 3:2:3, 3:3:2, 4:1:3, and 4:2:2, the charging capacity decreases by approximately 24.84%, 14.69%, 6.47%, 3.82%, and 1.13%, respectively, compared to the 4:2:2 proportion. Moreover, decreasing the heat transfer fluid inlet temperature can obviously shorten the complete charging time of the thermal energy storage systems unit.

Solid/Liquid Phase Change Heat Transfer in Latent Heat Thermal Energy Storage

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Zhou ◽  
C. Y. Zhao
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Thermal Conductivity ◽  
Energy Storage ◽  
Phase Change ◽  
Calcium Chloride ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Thermal Energy Storage ◽  
Phase Change Materials ◽  
Metal Foams ◽  
Chloride Hexahydrate

Phase change materials (PCMs) have been widely used for thermal energy storage systems due to their capability of storing and releasing large amounts of energy with a small volume and a moderate temperature variation. Most PCMs suffer the common problem of low thermal conductivity, being around 0.2 and 0.5 for paraffin and inorganic salts, respectively, which prolongs the charging and discharging period. In an attempt to improve the thermal conductivity of phase change materials, the graphite or metallic matrix is often embedded within PCMs to enhance the heat transfer. This paper presents an experimental study on heat transfer characteristics of PCMs embedded with open-celled metal foams. In this study both paraffin wax and calcium chloride hexahydrate are employed as the heat storage media. The transient heat transfer behavior is measured. Compared to the results of pure PCMs samples, the investigation shows that the additions of metal foams can double the overall heat transfer rate during the melting process. The results of calcium chloride hexahydrate are also compared with those of paraffin wax.

Latent Heat Storage: Container Geometry, Enhancement Techniques, and Applications—A Review

2019 ◽  
Vol 141 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Arunachalam
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Thermal Conductivity ◽  
Energy Storage ◽  
Phase Change ◽  
Latent Heat ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Heat Exchangers ◽  
Phase Change Materials ◽  
Heat Storage ◽  
Low Thermal Conductivity

Energy storage helps in waste management, environmental protection, saving of fossil fuels, cost effectiveness, and sustainable growth. Phase change material (PCM) is a substance which undergoes simultaneous melting and solidification at certain temperature and pressure and can thereby absorb and release thermal energy. Phase change materials are also called thermal batteries which have the ability to store large amount of heat at fixed temperature. Effective integration of the latent heat thermal energy storage system with solar thermal collectors depends on heat storage materials and heat exchangers. The practical limitation of the latent heat thermal energy system for successful implementation in various applications is mainly from its low thermal conductivity. Low thermal conductivity leads to low heat transfer coefficient, and thereby, the phase change process is prolonged which signifies the requirement of heat transfer enhancement techniques. Typically, for salt hydrates and organic PCMs, the thermal conductivity range varies between 0.4–0.7 W/m K and 0.15–0.3 W/m K which increases the thermal resistance within phase change materials during operation, seriously affecting efficiency and thermal response. This paper reviews the different geometry of commercial heat exchangers that can be used to address the problem of low thermal conductivity, like use of fins, additives with high thermal conductivity materials like metal strips, microencapsulated PCM, composite PCM, porous metals, porous metal foam matrix, carbon nanofibers and nanotubes, etc. Finally, different solar thermal applications and potential PCMs for low-temperature thermal energy storage were also discussed.

scholarly journals Testing the performance of a prototype thermal energy storage tank working with organic phase change material for space heating application conditions

2019 ◽  
Vol 116 ◽  
pp. 00038 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria K. Koukou ◽  
Michail Gr. Vrachopoulos ◽  
George Dogkas ◽  
Christos Pagkalos ◽  
Kostas Lymperis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Energy Storage ◽  
Phase Change ◽  
Phase Change Material ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Thermal Energy Storage ◽  
Finned Tube ◽  
Heat Transfer Fluid ◽  
Outlet Temperature ◽  
Change Material

A prototype Latent Heat Thermal Energy Storage (LHTES) unit has been designed, constructed, and experimentally analysed for its thermal storage performance under different operational conditions considering heating application and exploiting solar and geothermal energy. The system consists of a rectangular tank filled with Phase Change Material (PCM) and a finned tube staggered Heat Exchanger (HE) while water is used as Heat Transfer Fluid (HTF). Different HTF inlet temperatures and flow rates were tested to find out their effects on LHTES performance. Thermal quantities such as HTF outlet temperature, heat transfer rate, stored energy, were evaluated as a function of the conditions studied. Two commercial organic PCMs were tested A44 and A46. Results indicate that A44 is more efficient during the charging period, taking into account the two energy sources, solar and heat pump. During the discharging process, it exhibits higher storage capacity than A46. Concluding, the developed methodology can be applied to study different PCMs and building applications.

Performance Based Cost Modeling of Phase Change Thermal Energy Storage for High Temperature Concentrating Solar Power Systems

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Russell Muren ◽  
Diego A. Arias ◽  
Brian Luptowski
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Energy Storage ◽  
Phase Change ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Thermal Energy Storage ◽  
Heat Transfer Fluid ◽  
Energy Output ◽  
System Component ◽  
Precipitate Formation ◽  
The Cost

Sizing and cost models were developed for thermal energy storage (TES) systems utilizing cascaded phase change materials (PCM) as the storage media in a variety of configurations. The sizing model is based on an energy balance around a characteristic fundamental element of the system, consisting of a steel pipe embedded in a matrix of phase change material. Due to the transient behavior PCM system, the sizing model requires time and space integrations. The model accounts for decreases in thermal performance caused by precipitate formation on the surface of the pipe and predicts the resulting transient power output. The model calculates the required tank and pipe sizes, the amounts of heat transfer fluid and PCM, as well as the land area for the configuration. Using a cost metric approach, the cost of each system component is estimated. Furthermore, the effect of several technological pitfalls, including: pinch point heat transfer, precipitate buildup, and transient energy output have been investigated. Prices are shown to depend heavily on system configuration. Specifically, prices are shown to be most dependent on precipitate formation during discharge and consequently the size of the necessary heat transfer area of heat exchangers. The cost of different configurations vary from $40/kWh to $100/kWh.

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