Operation Optimization of Steam Accumulators as Thermal Energy Storage and Buffer Units

Abstract

Abstract:Although steam is widely used in industrial production, there is often an imbalance between steam supply and demand, which ultimately results in steam waste. To solve this problem, steam accumulators (SAs) can be used as thermal energy storage and buffer units. However, it is difficult to promote the application of SAs due to high investment costs, which directly depend on the usage volume. Thus, the operation of SAs should be optimized to reduce initial investment through volume minimization. In this work, steam sources (SSs) are classified into two types: controllable steam sources (CSSs) and uncontrollable steam sources (UCSSs). A basic oxygen furnace (BOF) was selected as an example of a UCSS to study the optimal operation of an SA with a single BOF and sets of parallel-operating BOFs. In another case, a new method whereby CSSs cooperate with SAs is reported, and the mathematical model of the minimum necessary thermal energy storage capacity (NTESC) is established. A solving program for this mathematical model is also designed. The results show that for UCSSs, applying an SA in two parallel-operating SSs requires less capacity than that required between a single SS and its consumer. For CSSs, the proposed minimum NTESC method can effectively find the optimal operation and the minimum volume of an SA. The optimized volume of an SA is smaller than that used in practice, which results in a better steam storage effect.

Installation resilience in cold regions using energy storage systems

“…As steam is released, the pressure reduces in the tank, causing the water to boil and generate additional steam. This continues for some time before it has to be recharged (Sun et al 2017). Steam accumulators are not currently viewed as a promising energy storage system for Army and DoD applications in cold regions because they have not been tested on a large scale and may have limitations in cold regions where water will freeze if not heated and stored properly.…”

Reducing the carbon footprint of Whisky production through the use of a battery and heat storage alongside renewable generation

“…Given the temperature requirements for the distillation, any thermal storage has to store and provide heat at temperatures above 100°C. Technologies which could provide this are either steam accumulators [4] or phase change material (PCM) energy storage devices [5], also known as 'heat batteries'. The aim of this paper is to explore how much low-carbon on-site generation and heat demand management can improve the environmental credentials of a distillery.…”

Reducing the carbon footprint of Whisky-production through the use of a battery and heat storage alongside renewable generation

“…Given the temperature requirements for the distillation, any thermal storage has to store and provide heat at temperatures above 100°C. Technologies which could provide this are either steam accumulators [4] or phase change material (PCM) energy storage devices [5], also known as 'heat batteries'.…”