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Experimental and Numerical Research Activity on a Packed Bed TES System

Author

Listed:
  • Mario Cascetta

    (Department of Mechanical, Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Cagliari, Via Marengo, 2, Cagliari 09123, Italy)

  • Fabio Serra

    (Solar Concentration Technologies and Hydrogen from RES Laboratory, Sardegna Ricerche—Z.I. Macchiareddu, Uta (CA) 09010, Italy)

  • Simone Arena

    (Department of Mechanical, Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Cagliari, Via Marengo, 2, Cagliari 09123, Italy)

  • Efisio Casti

    (Department of Mechanical, Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Cagliari, Via Marengo, 2, Cagliari 09123, Italy)

  • Giorgio Cau

    (Department of Mechanical, Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Cagliari, Via Marengo, 2, Cagliari 09123, Italy)

  • Pierpaolo Puddu

    (Department of Mechanical, Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Cagliari, Via Marengo, 2, Cagliari 09123, Italy)

Abstract

This paper presents the results of experimental and numerical research activities on a packed bed sensible thermal energy storage (TES) system. The TES consists of a cylindrical steel tank filled with small alumina beads and crossed by air used as the heat transfer fluid. Experimental tests were carried out while varying some operating parameters such as the mass flow rate, the inlet–outlet temperature thresholds and the aspect ratio (length over diameter). Numerical simulations were carried out using a one-dimensional model, specifically developed in the Matlab-Simulink environment and a 2D axisymmetric model based on the ANSYS-Fluent platform. Both models are based on a two-equation transient approach to calculate fluid and solid phase temperatures. Thermodynamic properties were considered to be temperature-dependent and, in the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model, variable porosity of the bed in the radial direction, thermal losses and the effective conductivity of the alumina beads were also considered. The simulation results of both models were compared to the experimental ones, showing good agreement. The one-dimensional model has the advantage of predicting the axial temperature distribution with a very low computational cost, but it does not allow calculation of the correct energy stored when the temperature distribution is strongly influenced by the wall. To overcome this problem a 2D CFD model was used in this work.

Suggested Citation

  • Mario Cascetta & Fabio Serra & Simone Arena & Efisio Casti & Giorgio Cau & Pierpaolo Puddu, 2016. "Experimental and Numerical Research Activity on a Packed Bed TES System," Energies, MDPI, vol. 9(9), pages 1-13, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:9:y:2016:i:9:p:758-:d:78435
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Xie, Baoshan & Baudin, Nicolas & Soto, Jérôme & Fan, Yilin & Luo, Lingai, 2023. "Experimental and numerical study on the thermocline behavior of packed-bed storage tank with sensible fillers," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 209(C), pages 106-121.
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    5. Vittorio Tola & Simone Arena & Mario Cascetta & Giorgio Cau, 2020. "Numerical Investigation on a Packed-Bed LHTES System Integrated into a Micro Electrical and Thermal Grid," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-15, April.
    6. Verena Sulzgruber & David Wünsch & Heimo Walter & Markus Haider, 2020. "FP-TES: Fluidization Based Particle Thermal Energy Storage, Part II: Experimental Investigations," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-17, August.
    7. Timo Roeder & Kai Risthaus & Nathalie Monnerie & Christian Sattler, 2022. "Non-Stoichiometric Redox Thermochemical Energy Storage Analysis for High Temperature Applications," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-21, August.
    8. Michael Lanahan & Paulo Cesar Tabares-Velasco, 2017. "Seasonal Thermal-Energy Storage: A Critical Review on BTES Systems, Modeling, and System Design for Higher System Efficiency," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-24, May.
    9. Xie, Baoshan & Baudin, Nicolas & Soto, Jérôme & Fan, Yilin & Luo, Lingai, 2022. "Wall impact on efficiency of packed-bed thermocline thermal energy storage system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 247(C).
    10. Andrea Cinocca & Marco Di Bartolomeo & Roberto Cipollone & Roberto Carapellucci, 2020. "A Definitive Model of a Small-Scale Concentrated Solar Power Hybrid Plant Using Air as Heat Transfer Fluid with a Thermal Storage Section and ORC Plants for Energy Recovery," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-22, September.
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