Abstract
A thermal energy storage system, consisting of a packed bed of rocks as storing material and air as high-temperature heat transfer fluid, is analyzed for concentrated solar power (CSP) applications. A 6.5MWhth pilot-scale thermal storage unit immersed in the ground and of truncated conical shape is fabricated and experimentally demonstrated to generate thermoclines. A dynamic numerical heat transfer model is formulated for separate fluid and solid phases and variable thermo-physical properties in the range of 20–650°C, and validated with experimental results. The validated model is further applied to design and simulate an array of two industrial-scale thermal storage units, each of 7.2GWhth capacity, for a 26MWel round-the-clock concentrated solar power plant during multiple 8h-charging/16h-discharging cycles, yielding 95% overall thermal efficiency.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
