Modelling a packed-bed latent heat thermal energy storage unit and studying its performance using different paraffins
Andreas Klitou, Theoklitos Klitou, Paris A. Fokaides
Abstract
Thermal systems, including those utilising solar energy and waste heat recovery, often have a mismatch between the energy supply and demand.It is crucial to implement a form of Thermal Energy Storage (TES) to effectively utilise the energy source.This study evaluates the thermal performance of a packed bed Latent Heat Thermal Energy Storage (LHTES) unit that is incorporated with a solar flat plate collector.The results show that the time required to charge the tank is reduced by 7% when the porosity is increased from 0.49 to 0.61, and also when the flow rate is raised from 2 to 4 kg/min, the charging time decreases by 2.5%.Additionally, studies were done to investigate the performances of different kinds of paraffin (RT30, RT28HC, WAX, RT58, and P56-58), and compare the heat capacities of each TES tank which resulted in the RT58 TES tank having the highest heat capacity.