Computational Analysis of a Pipe Flow Distributor for a Thermocline Based Thermal Energy Storage System

2013 ◽  
Vol 136 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Samia Afrin ◽  
Vinod Kumar ◽  
Desikan Bharathan ◽  
Greg C. Glatzmaier ◽  
Zhiwen Ma
Keyword(s):  
Energy Storage ◽  
Molten Salt ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Thermal Energy Storage ◽  
Computational Analysis ◽  
Storage System ◽  
Flow Distribution ◽  
Energy Storage System ◽  
Heat Transfer Fluid ◽  
Case Scenario

The overall efficiency of a concentrating solar power (CSP) plant depends on the effectiveness of thermal energy storage (TES) system (Kearney and Herrmann, 2002, “Assessment of a Molten Salt Heat Transfer Fluid,” ASME). A single tank TES system consists of a thermocline region which produces the temperature gradient between hot and cold storage fluid by density difference (Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, http://www.eere.energy.gov/basics/renewable_energy/thermal_storage.html). Preservation of this thermocline region in the tank during charging and discharging cycles depends on the uniformity of the velocity profile at any horizontal plane. Our objective is to maximize the uniformity of the velocity distribution using a pipe-network distributor by varying the number of holes, distance between the holes, position of the holes and number of distributor pipes. For simplicity, we consider that the diameter of the inlet, main pipe, the distributor pipes and the height and the width of the tank are constant. We use Hitec® molten salt as the storage medium and the commercial software Gambit 2.4.6 and Fluent 6.3 for the computational analysis. We analyze the standard deviation in the velocity field and compare the deviations at different positions of the tank height for different configurations. Since the distance of the holes from the inlet and their respective arrangements affects the flow distribution throughout the tank; we investigate the impacts of rearranging the holes position on flow distribution. Impact of the number of holes and distributor pipes are also analyzed. We analyze our findings to determine a configuration for the best case scenario.

Computational Analysis of a Pipe Flow Distributor for a Thermocline Based Thermal Energy Storage System

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samia Afrin ◽  
Eduardo Cordero ◽  
Sebastian De La Rosa ◽  
Vinod Kumar ◽  
Desikan Bharathan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Storage ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Thermal Energy Storage ◽  
Computational Analysis ◽  
Storage System ◽  
Flow Distribution ◽  
Energy Storage System ◽  
Case Scenario ◽  
System 1 ◽  
Flow Distributor

The overall efficiency of a Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) plant depends on the effectiveness of Thermal Energy Storage (TES) system [1]. A single tank TES system consists of a thermocline region which produces the temperature gradient between hot and cold storage fluid by density difference [2]. Preservation of this thermocline region in the tank during charging and discharging cycles depends on the uniformity of the velocity profile at any horizontal plane. Our objective is to maximize the uniformity of the velocity distribution using a pipe-network distributor by varying the number of holes, distance between the holes, position of the holes and number of distributor pipes. For simplicity, we consider that the diameter of the inlet, main pipe, the distributor pipes and the height and the width of the tank are constant. We use Hitec® molten salt as the storage medium and the commercial software Gambit 2.4.6 and Fluent 6.3 for the computational analysis. We analyze the standard deviation in the velocity field and compare the deviations at different positions of the tank height for different configurations. Since, the distance of the holes from the inlet and their respective arrangements affects the flow distribution throughout the tank; we investigate the impacts of rearranging the holes position on flow distribution. Impact of the number of holes and distributor pipes are also analyzed. We analyze our findings to determine a configuration for the best case scenario.

Dynamic simulation of two-tank indirect thermal energy storage system with molten salt

2017 ◽  
Vol 113 ◽  
pp. 1311-1319 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaolei Li ◽  
Ershu Xu ◽  
Shuang Song ◽  
Xiangyan Wang ◽  
Guofeng Yuan
Keyword(s):  
Energy Storage ◽  
Molten Salt ◽  
Dynamic Simulation ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Thermal Energy Storage ◽  
Storage System ◽  
Energy Storage System ◽  
Thermal Energy Storage System

scholarly journals Experimental Investigation of PCM Spheres in Thermal Energy Storage System

2013 ◽  
Vol 367 ◽  
pp. 228-233 ◽  
Author(s):  
N.A.M. Amin ◽  
Azizul Mohamad ◽  
M.S. Abdul Majid ◽  
Mohd Afendi ◽  
Frank Bruno ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Storage ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Thermal Energy Storage ◽  
Storage System ◽  
Packed Bed ◽  
Energy Storage System ◽  
Heat Transfer Fluid ◽  
Experimental Result ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Storage Unit

This paper presents the experimental result of a small scale packed bed of random spheres with encapsulated PCM being charged and discharged. A vapor compression refrigerator and heated room with fan heater were used to supply constant heat transfer fluid at a minimum temperature of -28°C for charging and 16°C for discharging. Even though the temperature differences were not fixed in the experiments, the performance of the thermal energy storage is depicted in the form of effectiveness values. Different results were obtained for charging and discharging the thermal storage unit. The differences are expected to come from natural convection and super cooling. The super cooling during the charging process was as high as 6°C.

Experimental Investigation of Latent Heat Thermal Energy Storage System Enhanced by Annular and Radial Fins

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saeed Tiari ◽  
Addison Hockins ◽  
Samantha Moretti
Keyword(s):  
Energy Storage ◽  
Latent Heat ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Thermal Energy Storage ◽  
Storage System ◽  
Energy System ◽  
Energy Storage System ◽  
Heat Transfer Fluid ◽  
Charging Time ◽  
Thermal Energy Storage System

Abstract In the current study, the thermal characteristics of a latent heat thermal energy storage system enhanced with annular and radial fins are investigated experimentally. Rubitherm RT-55 is used as the phase change material (PCM) and is enclosed within a vertical cylindrical container. Water is used as the heat transfer fluid (HTF) which is circulated in a copper pipe that passes through the center of the container. The hot HTF is circulated through the system until the entire mass of solid PCM inside the container is melted. Twelve k-type thermocouples are inserted into the container at different levels to monitor the PCM temperature during the charging processes. A thermal imaging camera is used to take thermal images of the latent heat thermal energy system as it operates. The effects of different number of annular and radial fins attached to the central pipe on the thermal performance of the latent heat thermal energy storage system during the charging processes have been studied. It was found that the inclusion of 10 and 20 annular fins decreased the charging time by 79.5% and 82.8%, respectively. The two radial fin designs of 4 fins and 8 fins were assessed and found to decrease charging time by 81.9% and 86.6%, respectively.

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