Numerical evaluation of multi-layered solid-PCM thermocline-like tanks as thermal energy storage systems for CSP applications

The two-tank system is the technology used for thermal energy storage (TES) in current concentrating solar power (CSP) plants. Thermocline storage concept has been considered for more than a decade as a possible solution to reduce the high cost of the storage system in these plants. In previous work...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Galione Klot, Pedro Andrés, Pérez Segarra, Carlos David|||0000-0003-1007-3142, Rodríguez Pérez, Ivette María|||0000-0002-3749-277X, Torras Ortiz, Santiago|||0000-0001-5014-7383, Rigola Serrano, Joaquim|||0000-0002-6685-3677
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2015
País:España
Institución:Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)
Repositorio:UPCommons. Portal del coneixement obert de la UPC
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:upcommons.upc.edu:2117/85680
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/2117/85680
https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.egypro.2015.03.099
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Energy storage
Solar power plants
Solar thermal energy
thermal energy storage (TES)
concentrating solar power (CSP)
multi-layered solid-PCM (MLSPCM)
phase change materials (PCM)
Energia--Emmagatzematge
Centrals solars
Energia tèrmica solar
Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Energies::Energia solar tèrmica
Descripción
Sumario:The two-tank system is the technology used for thermal energy storage (TES) in current concentrating solar power (CSP) plants. Thermocline storage concept has been considered for more than a decade as a possible solution to reduce the high cost of the storage system in these plants. In previous works, multi-layered solid-PCM (MLSPCM) thermocline-like storage tank configurations has been introduced and studied, giving promising results for their use as thermal energy storage systems for CSP. In this work, further analysis is performed in the use of this new concept of TES, by considering variable inlet conditions, and simulating the tank shell and the foundation. The numerical simulations are based on a modular object-oriented methodology. Energetic and exergetic results are presented and compared against a reference 2-tank case and against different thermocline configurations with either solid or phase change filler materials. Again, promising results are obtained for the tested MLSPCM concept.