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Optimization of Design Variables of a Phase Change Material Storage Tank and Comparison of a 2D Implicit vs. 2D Explicit Model

Author

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  • Alicia Crespo

    (GREiA Research Group, University of Lleida, Pere de Cabrera s/n, 25001 Lleida, Spain)

  • Gabriel Zsembinszki

    (GREiA Research Group, University of Lleida, Pere de Cabrera s/n, 25001 Lleida, Spain)

  • David Vérez

    (GREiA Research Group, University of Lleida, Pere de Cabrera s/n, 25001 Lleida, Spain)

  • Emiliano Borri

    (GREiA Research Group, University of Lleida, Pere de Cabrera s/n, 25001 Lleida, Spain)

  • Cèsar Fernández

    (GREiA Research Group, University of Lleida, Pere de Cabrera s/n, 25001 Lleida, Spain)

  • Luisa F. Cabeza

    (GREiA Research Group, University of Lleida, Pere de Cabrera s/n, 25001 Lleida, Spain)

  • Alvaro de Gracia

    (GREiA Research Group, University of Lleida, Pere de Cabrera s/n, 25001 Lleida, Spain)

Abstract

In this study, a thermal energy storage tank filled with commercial phase change material flat slabs is investigated. The tank provides heat at around 15 °C to the evaporator of a seasonal thermal energy storage system developed under the EU-funded project SWS-Heating. A 2D numerical model of the phase changed material storage tank based on the finite control volume approach was developed and validated with experimental data. Based on the validated model, an optimization was performed to identify the number, type and configuration of slabs. The final goal of the phase change material tank model is to be implemented into the whole generic heating system model. A trade-off between results’ accuracy and computational time of the phase change material model is needed. Therefore, a comparison between a 2D implicit and 2D explicit scheme of the model was performed. The results showed that using an explicit scheme instead of an implicit scheme with a reasonable number of nodes (15 to 25) in the heat transfer fluid direction allowed a considerable decrease in the computational time (7 times for the best case) with only a slight reduction in the accuracy in terms on mean average percentage error (0.44%).

Suggested Citation

  • Alicia Crespo & Gabriel Zsembinszki & David Vérez & Emiliano Borri & Cèsar Fernández & Luisa F. Cabeza & Alvaro de Gracia, 2021. "Optimization of Design Variables of a Phase Change Material Storage Tank and Comparison of a 2D Implicit vs. 2D Explicit Model," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-15, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:9:p:2605-:d:548034
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Prieto, Cristina & Cabeza, Luisa F., 2019. "Thermal energy storage (TES) with phase change materials (PCM) in solar power plants (CSP). Concept and plant performance," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 254(C).
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    Cited by:

    1. Crespo, Alicia & Fernández, Cèsar & Vérez, David & Tarragona, Joan & Borri, Emiliano & Frazzica, Andrea & Cabeza, Luisa F. & de Gracia, Alvaro, 2023. "Thermal performance assessment and control optimization of a solar-driven seasonal sorption storage system for residential application," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 263(PA).
    2. PELELLA, Francesco & ZSEMBINSZKI, Gabriel & VISCITO, Luca & William MAURO, Alfonso & CABEZA, Luisa F., 2023. "Thermo-economic optimization of a multi-source (air/sun/ground) residential heat pump with a water/PCM thermal storage," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 331(C).
    3. Hongyu Zhang & Fei Gan & Guangqin Huang & Chunlong Zhuang & Xiaodong Shen & Shengbo Li & Lei Cheng & Shanshan Hou & Ningge Xu & Zhenqun Sang, 2022. "Study on Heat Storage Performance of Phase Change Reservoir in Underground Protection Engineering," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-31, August.

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