Development of an effective algorithm for selection of PCM based filler material for thermocline thermal energy storage system

Abstract

Thermocline Thermal energy storage is an imperial technology to improve the reliability of solar thermal energy systems. Inorganic Phase Change Materials (PCM) are more promised filler materials to increase the energetic and exergetic efficiency of the thermocline tank. Due to technological advancement, new materials are developed every year that support thermal energy storage. This article proposes the ITARA-TOPSIS-MODM methodology for the PCM selection process effectively. The final obtained results are experimentally validated, and the performance has been evaluated in the computation domain - Ansys, Fluent-21. The 62-commercially available inorganic salt and its mixture of PCM are collected and solved in the ITARA-TOPSIS method. The weightage of the attributes is found from the proposed ITARA method, and results are compared with conventional methods. In the pre-screened process, the attribute weights are obtained and substituted in the TOPSIS algorithm and sorted into ten materials in each category (i.e., L, M, and H). The properties of the sorted material are formed by two vital variables such as energy storage per unit volume and equivalent thermal diffusivity. The collected results are solved by the MODM tool. Finally, found L7, M7, and H17 (i.e. LiOH (6)-NaNO3(67)-NaOH (27), NaOH, Li2CO3(44)-Na2CO3(56), and NaF) to be more promised materials for the thermocline tank in solar thermal concentrating applications.