Experimental analysis of the performance of optimized fin structures in a latent heat energy storage test rig

Abstract

Numerical analysis of fluid flow and heat transfer during melting inside a cylindrical container for thermal energy storage system AIP Conference Proceedings 1850, 080006 (2017) Abstract. Energy storage systems are a key technology for developing a more sustainable energy supply system and lowering overall CO 2 emissions. Among the variety of storage technologies, high temperature phase change material (PCM) storage is a promising option with a wide range of applications. PCM storages using an extended finned tube storage concept have been designed and techno-economically optimized for solar thermal power plant operations. These finned tube components were experimentally tested in order to validate the optimized design and simulation models used. Analysis of the charging and discharging characteristics of the storage at the pilot scale gives insight into the heat distribution both axially as well as radially in the storage material, thereby allowing for a realistic validation of the design. The design was optimized for discharging of the storage, as this is the more critical operation mode in power plant applications. The data show good agreement between the model and the experiments for discharging.

Assembly and attachment methods for extended aluminum fins onto steel tubes for high temperature latent heat storage units

“…This effect is not observed in the solidification process because of the heat transfer limitation due to heat conduction only. This limitation during solidification has been shown in [24] and can be observed by comparing the much faster melting time in Fig. 12 to the slower solidification time shown in Fig.…”

“…Various cycles were measured with both the clipping and the crimping mounting of the A-fins in the storage unit. First results were reported by Johnson et al in [24]. The aspect of interest in this paper is the direct comparison of the thermodynamics of the two mounting methods as well as analysis of the fins and tubes after dismantling.…”

“…11 presents the results of a cycle with an HTF temperature that is 20 K below the melting temperature (306 °C) for two thermocouple measurement positions (pos20 and pos30) in the fin geometry of the central tube's middle measurement level. The measurements at other positions are discussed in [24]; these positions were chosen for analysis for their representative positions. The blue lines refer to pos20 for both the clipped and crimped mounting and the red lines refer to pos30 of the same.…”