Abstract
A comprehensive study of using thermal energy storage (TES) tank was performed. In this report, the comprehensive literature review of various options of storing thermal energy in buildings was discussed. The objective of the project was to evaluate charging and discharging performance of a storage tank with and without phase change material (PCM) blocks. The general format of the energy balance for the storage tank considering losses, input energy, inlet and outlet mass flow rates, and PCM blocks was developed. Charging performance was analyzed by three different approaches. Initially, constant input thermal energy rate was considered to be delivered to the tank by different heat pumps from 4.5 kW to 9 kW heating capacity. Charging time, phase change process, and stored energy were analyzed under constant thermal energy rate input mode for charging process. Then, the effect of constant coil temperature on charging process was studied and results were compared to previous cases. Also, a solar assisted heat pump was implemented into the model to verify the effect of solar radiation on pre-heating the air for heat pump and how this process improves the overall charging progress of storage tank. Moreover, discharge procedure was discussed to evaluate various discharge modes based on different water draw flow rates. Based on this analyses developing a complete TRNSYS model of the tank is recommended in order to do whole building energy simulation.
Highlights
A comprehensive study of using thermal energy storage (TES) tank was performed
phase change material (PCM) materials with the general chemical formula of CnH2n+2 are categorized under paraffin, where the heat of fusion and melting point increases with the increasing value of carbon atom number
Both SANYO heat pumps have coefficient of performance (COP) of 3.8 the fixed coil temperature method was tested on the model
Summary
The continuous increase in the level of greenhouse gas emissions and the infatuations in fuel prices are the main driving forces behind efforts to more effectively utilize various sources of renewable energy. Rapid worldwide population growth has put a heavy burden on conventional energy resources, such as; fuel, coal and oil, which are estimated to run out in several decades (Basecq, 2013) These conventional resources are blamed for CO2 and other harmful gas emissions that lead to climatic change problems such as global warming and damaging of the ozone layer. The idea of thermal energy storage (TES) was first discussed and further studied to address the energy shortage crisis in the 1970s Owing to this concept, intermittent solar energy can be utilized meet the demands of space heating and domestic water supply and to offer a high grade heat source all year round regardless of timing or seasonal constraints (Cabeza et al, 2006 & 2013). Incorporating two different concept in one design would define a new thermal storage system with higher efficiency and lower capital cost
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