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Thermal energy storage for concentrating solar thermal power (CSP) plants can help in overcoming the intermittency of the solar resource and also reduce the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) by utilizing the power block for extended periods of time. In general, heat can be stored in the form of sensible heat, latent heat, and thermochemical reactions. This article describes the development of a costeffective latent heat storage TES at the University of South Florida (USF). Latent heat storage systems have higher energy density compared to sensible heat storage systems. However, most phase change materials (PCMs) have low thermal conductivity that leads to slow charging and discharging rates. The effective thermal conductivity of PCMs can be improved by forming small macrocapsules of PCM and enhancing convective heat transfer by submerging them in a liquid. A novel encapsulation procedure for high-temperature PCMs that can be used for thermal energy storage (TES) systems in CSP plants is being developed at USF. When incorporated in a TES system, these PCMs can reduce the system costs to much lower rates than currently used systems. Economical encapsulation is achieved by using a novel electroless deposition technique. Preliminary results are presented and the factors that are being considered for process optimization are discussed.

The Electric VehicldPhotovoltaic Demonstration and Evahmtion Program being conducted at the University of South Florida (USF) includes a 20 kW (peak) photovoltaic (PV) system in which PV panels form the roof of a 12 bay carport. A 6 kW (peak) segment of the PV system can be simultaneously distributed between computer controlled direct DC-DC charging and power grid interconnection.The DC-DC charger (DC-DAS) controls the charging current of a battery pack with minimal power waste, by computer control of current flow direction of each of four source circuits. It demonstrates superior efficiency, dependability and safety for DC-DC charging over DC-AC-DC charging and has greater control over the last 20% of charge than traditional PV DC-DC chargers. PV SYSTEM CONFIGURATIONThe 12 bay photovoltaic carport at USF uses Siemens Solar M55 High Efficiency Power PV Modules that can achieve a peak output of 53 Watts (Vmm=17.4V & I-=3.05A @ 75°F & 1000W/m2) each. A total of 377 M55 modules are used which provide a peak power of 19,981 Watts. By properly connecting the modules in series and in parallel, modules can be interhxd with the Electric Vehicles (Ev's) directly or through the power grid. AC-DC chargers are available for charging when solar power is unavailable or insufficient. DC-DC CHARGER CONFIGURATIONA 1 17 module segment of the PV array has been configured for both direct DC-DC charging and power grid interconnection and is capable of delivering a 41.6A maximum current. The segment consists of four source circuits which in turn are comprised of series circuits. A series circuit consists of nine PV modules wired in series to provide a peak power voltage of 13OV-156V (depending upon the PV module temperature) and a current of about 3.2A at 1000W/mz. A source circuit is formed by connecting a number of series circuits in parallel. Source circuit #l (SC#l) has one series circuit, SC#2 has two series circuits, SC#3 has three series circuits, and SC#4 has seven series circuits. The DC-DAS coni3guration is shown in (FSgure 1). The source circuits are switched between the charging vehicle and the power grid (via two 3kW inverters) by computer controlled relays. The 124V to 156V charging voltage range of the electric vehicle battery pack is within the power knee of these source circuits (Figure 2). DC-DC CHARGING (DC-DAS) PROCEDUREThe DC-DAS is able to control the charging current of a battery pack with minimal power waste and can achieve an efficient 100% state of charge (SOC). This is made possible by properly utilizing the 4 source Circuits (SC#l-SC#4) of the PV array (Figure 1). With source circuits of 1, 2 ,3 and 7 series circuits, any number of series circuits from 1 to 13 can be employed. Each source circuit can provide 3.2A at 148.5V and 75°F. This will allow any integral multiple of 3.2A from 3.2 A to 41.6A. DC-DC charging is accomplished using USF developed software, which monitors the battery temperature, voltage, and charging current along with the array irradiance. The DC-DAS analyzes these parameters to determi...

Temperature distributions in inhomogeneous hot gases were determined from line-of-sight infrared spectral measurements. Radiance and transmittance of combustion products of flat flames were measured at each of several CO(2)-band frequencies near 4.3 micro. Measurements of isothermal samples showed how the CO(2) transmittance varied with temperature. Radiance measurements were made on samples with known nonisothermal temperature profiles. Radiance equations were so formulated that they could be solved for the temperature profile of the nonisothermal sample by an iterative procedure, using the transmittance and radiance data described above. Temperature profiles obtained by this procedure were in good agreement with the predetermined thermal structures of the specimens.

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