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Numerical analysis of a medium scale latent energy storage unit for district heating systems

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  • Colella, Francesco
  • Sciacovelli, Adriano
  • Verda, Vittorio

Abstract

The present paper describes the application of computational fluid-dynamics (CFD) to the design and characterization of a medium scale energy storage unit for district heating systems. The shell-and-tube LHTES unit contains a technical grade paraffin (RT100) as phase change material (PCM) and uses water as heat transfer fluid (HTF). The system has been designed to transfer heat from the district to the building heating networks. After an initial description of the LHTES unit and a wide literature overview on the subject, the paper discusses the need for thermal enhancement to improve the thermal conductivity of the PCM. A solution based on a paraffin-graphite composite with a 15% graphite volume fraction has been found to be well performing in this particular application. Several operating scenarios characterized by heat requests ranging between 130 kW and 400 kW have been explored and the main outputs presented as function of Re and St numbers. The timewise variations of other significant quantities such as liquid fraction, sensible and latent energy content, HFT outlet temperature and heat fluxes have been also presented and discussed. A final discussion on the possible system configurations shows that in comparison to traditional water storage systems for district heating, LHTES systems provide, depending on the chose alternative, higher energy storage densities.

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  • Colella, Francesco & Sciacovelli, Adriano & Verda, Vittorio, 2012. "Numerical analysis of a medium scale latent energy storage unit for district heating systems," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 45(1), pages 397-406.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:45:y:2012:i:1:p:397-406
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2012.03.043
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    14. Pereira da Cunha, Jose & Eames, Philip, 2016. "Thermal energy storage for low and medium temperature applications using phase change materials – A review," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 177(C), pages 227-238.
    15. Huang, Shengyao & Lv, Laiquan & Zhou, Hao, 2024. "Thermal characteristics of a small-scale medium- and high-temperature latent heat storage system at different inlet flow rates and their influencing factors," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 288(C).
    16. Liu, Yang & Zheng, Ruowei & Li, Ji, 2022. "High latent heat phase change materials (PCMs) with low melting temperature for thermal management and storage of electronic devices and power batteries: Critical review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 168(C).
    17. Pizzolato, Alberto & Sharma, Ashesh & Maute, Kurt & Sciacovelli, Adriano & Verda, Vittorio, 2017. "Design of effective fins for fast PCM melting and solidification in shell-and-tube latent heat thermal energy storage through topology optimization," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 208(C), pages 210-227.
    18. Cheng, Wen-Long & Yuan, Xu-Dong, 2013. "Numerical analysis of a novel household refrigerator with shape-stabilized PCM (phase change material) heat storage condensers," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 265-276.
    19. Xiao, X. & Zhang, P., 2015. "Numerical and experimental study of heat transfer characteristics of a shell-tube latent heat storage system: Part II – Discharging process," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 80(C), pages 177-189.
    20. Al-abidi, Abduljalil A. & Bin Mat, Sohif & Sopian, K. & Sulaiman, M.Y. & Mohammed, Abdulrahman Th., 2013. "CFD applications for latent heat thermal energy storage: a review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 20(C), pages 353-363.
    21. Sciacovelli, A. & Gagliardi, F. & Verda, V., 2015. "Maximization of performance of a PCM latent heat storage system with innovative fins," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 137(C), pages 707-715.
    22. Luu, Minh Tri & Milani, Dia & Nomvar, Mobin & Abbas, Ali, 2020. "A design protocol for enhanced discharge exergy in phase change material heat battery," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 265(C).
    23. Rinaldi, Giulia & Lazaro, Ana & Delgado, Monica & Marin, Jose Maria & Verda, Vittorio, 2024. "Use of a low-cost phase change material emulsion in de-centralized thermal energy storage for district heating network enlargement," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 306(C).
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