Energies, Vol. 16, Pages 7499: Numerical Research on Thermodynamic Properties of a Thermocline in Thermal Energy Storage Tank Based on Modified One-Dimensional Dimensionless Model

Energies, Vol. 16, Pages 7499: Numerical Research on Thermodynamic Properties of a Thermocline in Thermal Energy Storage Tank Based on Modified One-Dimensional Dimensionless Model

Energies doi: 10.3390/en16227499

Authors: Haoran Ju Lijun Zheng Wei Zhong

The application of thermal energy storage (TES) has been proved effective to improve the energy utilization efficiency of renewable energy and industrial waste heat energy. In this paper, a modified one-dimensional dimensionless model for the thermocline thermal energy storage tank is derived to simulate the system more accurately. An adaptive strategy for solving region compartmentalization is proposed for reducing computing time. Based on the proposed model, the effects of three different parameters on the performance of the thermocline tank are studied. The results show that increasing the inlet velocity can reduce the thickness of the thermocline and improve the system efficiency. Increasing the temperature difference between hot and cold water leads to a thicker thermocline, but the thermal energy stored in the tank increases. Increasing the tank height has no effect on the motion characteristic of thermocline, but the system efficiency can be increased.