IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/appene/v292y2021ics030626192100338x.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Design and performance evaluation of a dual-circuit thermal energy storage module for air conditioners

Author

Listed:
  • Goyal, Anurag
  • Kozubal, Eric
  • Woods, Jason
  • Nofal, Malek
  • Al-Hallaj, Said

Abstract

We present experimental results and a validated numerical model of a dual-circuit phase-change thermal energy storage module for air conditioners. The module incorporates a phase-change material encapsulated in compressed expanded natural graphite foam. We used n-tetradecane as the PCM with a transition temperature (~4.5 °C) suitable for air-conditioning applications. Heat exchange to and from the module is accomplished through two fluid loops operating as a heat source and sink embedded inside multiple slabs of the composite material. This dual-circuit design enables easier integration with air-conditioning equipment and provides enhanced flexibility in system operation as compared to the state-of-the-art thermal storage systems. When integrated with an air-conditioner, this design will enable peak-load shaving and enhances operational efficiency. The thermal storage device was designed for a nominal storage capacity of ~ 3.5 kWh. We evaluated the heat transfer and energy storage performance of this device using standalone heat transfer experiments to estimate key thermal resistances and identify design improvements before integration with an air conditioner. The numerical model of the heat exchanger uses a combination of discretized and lumped parameter approaches to maintain a balance between accuracy and computational expense. Our analyses show that the geometric features and integration of fluid tubes are key contributors to the thermal contact resistance between the fluid and the thermal storage material, and consequently, to the overall performance of the thermal storage module. Our standalone experiments also identified important operating scenarios in which this thermal storage module can be used for air-conditioning in buildings.

Suggested Citation

  • Goyal, Anurag & Kozubal, Eric & Woods, Jason & Nofal, Malek & Al-Hallaj, Said, 2021. "Design and performance evaluation of a dual-circuit thermal energy storage module for air conditioners," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 292(C).
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:292:y:2021:i:c:s030626192100338x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2021.116843
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S030626192100338X
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only

    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.apenergy.2021.116843?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Zhao, Weihuan & France, David M. & Yu, Wenhua & Kim, Taeil & Singh, Dileep, 2014. "Phase change material with graphite foam for applications in high-temperature latent heat storage systems of concentrated solar power plants," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 69(C), pages 134-146.
    2. Arteconi, A. & Hewitt, N.J. & Polonara, F., 2012. "State of the art of thermal storage for demand-side management," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 93(C), pages 371-389.
    3. Uddin, Moslem & Romlie, Mohd Fakhizan & Abdullah, Mohd Faris & Abd Halim, Syahirah & Abu Bakar, Ab Halim & Chia Kwang, Tan, 2018. "A review on peak load shaving strategies," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 82(P3), pages 3323-3332.
    4. Zhai, X.Q. & Wang, X.L. & Wang, T. & Wang, R.Z., 2013. "A review on phase change cold storage in air-conditioning system: Materials and applications," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 22(C), pages 108-120.
    5. Jason Woods & Allison Mahvi & Anurag Goyal & Eric Kozubal & Adewale Odukomaiya & Roderick Jackson, 2021. "Rate capability and Ragone plots for phase change thermal energy storage," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 6(3), pages 295-302, March.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Zhengjing Li & Yishun Sha & Xuelai Zhang, 2024. "Research on Phase Change Cold Storage Materials and Innovative Applications in Air Conditioning Systems," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-24, August.
    2. Huang, Ransisi & Mahvi, Allison & James, Nelson & Kozubal, Eric & Woods, Jason, 2024. "Evaluation of phase change thermal storage in a cascade heat pump," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 359(C).
    3. Xiong, Chengyan & Meng, Qinglong & Wei, Ying'an & Luo, Huilong & Lei, Yu & Liu, Jiao & Yan, Xiuying, 2023. "A demand response method for an active thermal energy storage air-conditioning system using improved transactive control: On-site experiments," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 339(C).

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Singh, Dileep & Kim, Taeil & Zhao, Weihuan & Yu, Wenhua & France, David M., 2016. "Development of graphite foam infiltrated with MgCl2 for a latent heat based thermal energy storage (LHTES) system," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 94(C), pages 660-667.
    2. Chen, Yongbao & Chen, Zhe & Xu, Peng & Li, Weilin & Sha, Huajing & Yang, Zhiwei & Li, Guowen & Hu, Chonghe, 2019. "Quantification of electricity flexibility in demand response: Office building case study," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 188(C).
    3. Nagel, Thomas & Beckert, Steffen & Lehmann, Christoph & Gläser, Roger & Kolditz, Olaf, 2016. "Multi-physical continuum models of thermochemical heat storage and transformation in porous media and powder beds—A review," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 178(C), pages 323-345.
    4. Nassima Radouane, 2022. "A Comprehensive Review of Composite Phase Change Materials (cPCMs) for Thermal Management Applications, Including Manufacturing Processes, Performance, and Applications," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(21), pages 1-28, November.
    5. Xu, Yang & Li, Ming-Jia & Zheng, Zhang-Jing & Xue, Xiao-Dai, 2018. "Melting performance enhancement of phase change material by a limited amount of metal foam: Configurational optimization and economic assessment," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 212(C), pages 868-880.
    6. Andoni, Merlinda & Robu, Valentin & Flynn, David & Abram, Simone & Geach, Dale & Jenkins, David & McCallum, Peter & Peacock, Andrew, 2019. "Blockchain technology in the energy sector: A systematic review of challenges and opportunities," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 100(C), pages 143-174.
    7. Xu, Yang & Ren, Qinlong & Zheng, Zhang-Jing & He, Ya-Ling, 2017. "Evaluation and optimization of melting performance for a latent heat thermal energy storage unit partially filled with porous media," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 193(C), pages 84-95.
    8. Wang, Wenqing & Kolditz, Olaf & Nagel, Thomas, 2017. "Parallel finite element modelling of multi-physical processes in thermochemical energy storage devices," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 185(P2), pages 1954-1964.
    9. Emblemsvåg, Jan, 2022. "Wind energy is not sustainable when balanced by fossil energy," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 305(C).
    10. Gao, Datong & Zhao, Bin & Kwan, Trevor Hocksun & Hao, Yong & Pei, Gang, 2022. "The spatial and temporal mismatch phenomenon in solar space heating applications: status and solutions," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 321(C).
    11. Marias, Foivos & Neveu, Pierre & Tanguy, Gwennyn & Papillon, Philippe, 2014. "Thermodynamic analysis and experimental study of solid/gas reactor operating in open mode," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 757-765.
    12. Lizana, Jesus & Friedrich, Daniel & Renaldi, Renaldi & Chacartegui, Ricardo, 2018. "Energy flexible building through smart demand-side management and latent heat storage," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 230(C), pages 471-485.
    13. Huang, Ransisi & Mahvi, Allison & James, Nelson & Kozubal, Eric & Woods, Jason, 2024. "Evaluation of phase change thermal storage in a cascade heat pump," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 359(C).
    14. Tao, Y.B. & He, Ya-Ling, 2018. "A review of phase change material and performance enhancement method for latent heat storage system," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 93(C), pages 245-259.
    15. Englmair, Gerald & Moser, Christoph & Furbo, Simon & Dannemand, Mark & Fan, Jianhua, 2018. "Design and functionality of a segmented heat-storage prototype utilizing stable supercooling of sodium acetate trihydrate in a solar heating system," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 221(C), pages 522-534.
    16. Deetjen, Thomas A. & Vitter, J. Scott & Reimers, Andrew S. & Webber, Michael E., 2018. "Optimal dispatch and equipment sizing of a residential central utility plant for improving rooftop solar integration," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 147(C), pages 1044-1059.
    17. Zhang, Yuang & Wang, Lingjuan & Tang, Bingtao & Lu, Rongwen & Zhang, Shufen, 2016. "Form-stable phase change materials with high phase change enthalpy from the composite of paraffin and cross-linking phase change structure," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 184(C), pages 241-246.
    18. Amadeh, Ali & Lee, Zachary E. & Zhang, K. Max, 2022. "Quantifying demand flexibility of building energy systems under uncertainty," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 246(C).
    19. Tang, Yong & Wang, Zhichao & Zhou, Jinzhi & Zeng, Chao & Lyu, Weihua & Lu, Lin & Yuan, Yanping, 2024. "Experimental study on the performance of packed-bed latent thermal energy storage system employing spherical capsules with hollow channels," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 293(C).
    20. Luca Brunelli & Emiliano Borri & Anna Laura Pisello & Andrea Nicolini & Carles Mateu & Luisa F. Cabeza, 2024. "Thermal Energy Storage in Energy Communities: A Perspective Overview through a Bibliometric Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(14), pages 1-27, July.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:292:y:2021:i:c:s030626192100338x. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/405891/description#description .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.