scholarly journals Analysis of Large- Capacity Water Heaters in Electric Thermal Storage Programs

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan L. Cooke ◽  
David M. Anderson ◽  
David W. Winiarski ◽  
Robert T. Carmichael ◽  
Ebony T. Mayhorn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Storage ◽  
Large Capacity ◽  
Water Heaters

Experimental Study of a Novel Thermal Storage System Using Sands With High-Conductive Fluids Occupying the Pores

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jingxiao Han ◽  
Ben Xu ◽  
Peiwen Li ◽  
Anurag Kumar ◽  
Yongping Yang
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Energy Storage ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Storage System ◽  
Solid Material ◽  
Thermal Storage ◽  
Heat Transfer Fluid ◽  
Large Capacity ◽  
Conductive Fluid ◽  
Media System

Because of the capability of large capacity thermal storage, concentrated solar power (CSP) technology is getting more attentions in the recent years. The energy storage allows power generation using solar energy during the late afternoon and evening time. For a large capacity of thermal energy storage, a dual-media system is typically adopted for reducing the use of the heat transfer fluid (HTF), which is usually expensive. In a dual-media system, the solid material must have large heat capacity and be inexpensive. One type of configuration for a dual-media system is that HTF flowing in pipes which are imbedded into the solid material. The present study considers sands, a major component of concrete, as low-cost solid thermal storage materials. The novel approach is that the sand is saturated with high thermal conductive fluid. Compared to using concrete for thermal storage, this method avoids issues of heat transfer degradation associated with the mismatch of thermal expansion of pipes and concrete. Since only sands are porous materials and the heat transfer performance is low, a high conductive fluid (XCELTHERM® 600 hot oil) was used to saturate sands, which then forms a new thermal storage material that can have better heat transfer. Results of thermal storage process with sands only and with the oil-saturated sands are presented and discussed.

Heat Pump Water Heater Control Strategy Optimization for Cold Climates

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jayson Bursill ◽  
Cynthia A. Cruickshank
Keyword(s):  
Heat Pump ◽  
Control Strategy ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Thermal Storage ◽  
Hot Water ◽  
Space Heating ◽  
Cold Climates ◽  
Water Heater ◽  
Water Heaters ◽  
Surrounding Space

Commercially available heat pump water heaters (HPWH) have been used successfully in warm humid climates (southern United States), and recently, have been proven effective in replacing electric water heater technology in cooler climates within Canada. Using an air source HPWH unit within a dwelling can yield electrical coefficients of performance that are indicative of significant energy savings, but can also add an additional load to the space heating system. Current control strategies do not attempt to mitigate the heating load added to the surrounding space, and only consider the water temperature in the tank. This is because, to date, the primary application has been in sub-tropical climates where cooling is frequently beneficial. Starting in 2015, the US Department of Energy is mandating that all electric water heaters have an energy factor (unit of heat applied to hot water per unit of energy applied to the system) greater than 2, which makes technologies that utilize electrical coefficients of performance, such as HPWH technology, mandatory. To ease the inevitable transition to heat pump water heaters in lieu of electric water heaters, modified control strategies that highlight using thermal storage to reduce space heating loads must be implemented. This paper presents a study which was conducted to evaluate the performance of a commercially available HPWH with modified controls. The HPWH is first characterized experimentally under a series of different thermal conditions and draw parameters. The test tank contains a 1500 W electric auxiliary heater that provides on demand heat to the top 0.30 m (1 ft) of the tank, and a wraparound heating coil. An air source heat pump, using R-134A as the refrigerant, draws air from, and returns air to the surrounding space and provides heating to the whole tank through the coil. The tank has been tested using Canadian Standards Association draw profiles to characterize performance under different hot water demands. Electricity consumption and thermal flux is measured for each vertical tank section, and various performance metrics are calculated using energy balances. A TRNSYS model is then calibrated to the experimental data to allow for the flexibility of varying multiple parameters over various climates. Using this calibrated TRNSYS model, an optimal control strategy and tank set-points can be determined for use in cold climates. As expected from previous work, there is a decrease in performance of the heat pump when heating the tank to higher temperatures to facilitate thermal storage, but the benefits from taking advantage of shifting electrical demand (of water heating) to space heating demand can outweigh the loss of performance.

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