Generalized charts of energy storage effectiveness for thermocline heat storage tank design and calibration

Li, Peiwen; Lew, Jon Van; Karaki, Wafaa; Chan, Cho Lik; Stephens, Jake; Wang, Qiuwang

doi:10.1016/j.solener.2011.05.022

Cited by 63 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 17 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…(15), the dimensional tank height for each PCM can be calculated easily using Eq. (16), and the results are shown in Table 3.…”

Section: A Trial Storage Tank Volumementioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

General volume sizing strategy for thermal storage system using phase change material for concentrated solar thermal power plant

Chan

et al. 2015

Applied Energy

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

h i g h l i g h t sWe present a method of sizing a thermocline thermal storage system for a CSP plant. Phase change materials (PCM) are considered for this study. Sizing criterion is that the discharged fluid temperature is above a cutoff point. The sizing procedures were presented through one design example. Latent heat storage system (LHSS) Phase change material (PCM) General volume sizing strategy Enthalpy-based 1D transient model a b s t r a c tWith an auxiliary large capacity thermal storage using phase change material (PCM), Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) is a promising technology for high efficiency solar energy utilization. In a thermal storage system, a dual-media thermal storage tank is typically adopted in industry for the purpose of reducing the use of the heat transfer fluid (HTF) which is usually expensive. While the sensible heat storage system (SHSS) has been well studied, a dual-media latent heat storage system (LHSS) still needs more attention and study. The volume sizing of the thermal storage tank, considering daily cyclic operations, is of particular significance. In this paper, a general volume sizing strategy for LHSS is proposed, based on an enthalpy-based 1D transient model. One example was presented to demonstrate how to apply this strategy to obtain an actual storage tank volume. With this volume, a LHSS can supply heat to a thermal power plant with the HTF at temperatures above a cutoff point during a desired 6 h of operation. This general volume sizing strategy is believed to be of particular interest for the solar thermal power industry.

show abstract

“…(15), the dimensional tank height for each PCM can be calculated easily using Eq. (16), and the results are shown in Table 3.…”

Section: A Trial Storage Tank Volumementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Li et al [16,17] provided a generalized chart for the design and calibration of thermocline sensible heat storage system. Wu et al [18] investigated the impact of concrete structure on the thermal performance of the dual-media thermocline thermal storage tank using concrete as the solid medium.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

General volume sizing strategy for thermal storage system using phase change material for concentrated solar thermal power plant

Chan

et al. 2015

Applied Energy

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Li et al [13] tank. Zalba et al [14] summarized the study of thermal energy storage, including materials, heat transfer and applications.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modeling on heat storage performance of compressed air in a packed bed system

et al. 2015

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

“…The thermal behavior of molten-salt DMT tanks has been primarily studied via one-dimensional numerical models [8,11]; a few experimental studies have also been reported [8]. Extensive simulations have been performed to quantify multidimensional thermal and fluid flow behavior inside the tank [12], performance under cyclic operation [13], structural stability of the tank wall [14], and system-level performance in conjunction with a CSP plant model [15].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparative Analysis of Single- and Dual-Media Thermocline Tanks for Thermal Energy Storage in Concentrating Solar Power Plants

Mira-Hernández

Flueckiger

Garimella

2015

Journal of Solar Energy Engineering

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

A molten-salt thermocline tank is a low-cost option for thermal energy storage (TES) in concentrating solar power (CSP) plants. Typical dual-media thermocline (DMT) tanks contain molten salt and a filler material that provides sensible heat capacity at reduced cost. However, conventional quartzite rock filler introduces the potential for thermomechanical failure by successive thermal ratcheting of the tank wall under cyclical operation. To avoid this potential mode of failure, the tank may be operated as a singlemedium thermocline (SMT) tank containing solely molten salt. However, in the absence of filler material to dampen tank-scale convection eddies, internal mixing can reduce the quality of the stored thermal energy. To assess the relative merits of these two approaches, the operation of DMT and SMT tanks is simulated under different periodic charge/discharge cycles and tank wall boundary conditions to compare the performance with and without a filler material. For all conditions assessed, both thermocline tank designs have excellent thermal storage performance, although marginally higher firstand second-law efficiencies are predicted for the SMT tank. While heat loss through the tank wall to the ambient induces internal flow nonuniformities in the SMT design over the scale of the entire tank, strong stratification maintains separation of the hot and cold regions by a narrow thermocline; thermocline growth is limited by the low thermal diffusivity of the molten salt. Heat transport and flow phenomena inside the DMT tank, on the other hand, are governed to a great extent by thermal diffusion, which causes elongation of the thermocline. Both tanks are highly resistant to performance loss over periods of static operation, and the deleterious effects of dwell time are limited in both tank designs.

show abstract

Generalized charts of energy storage effectiveness for thermocline heat storage tank design and calibration

Cited by 63 publications

References 17 publications

General volume sizing strategy for thermal storage system using phase change material for concentrated solar thermal power plant

General volume sizing strategy for thermal storage system using phase change material for concentrated solar thermal power plant

Modeling on heat storage performance of compressed air in a packed bed system

Comparative Analysis of Single- and Dual-Media Thermocline Tanks for Thermal Energy Storage in Concentrating Solar Power Plants

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About