Efficient Energy Storage Systems Research Articles

Energy Management of a Fuel Cell Electric Robot Based on Hydrogen Value and Battery Overcharge Control

The energy management system of a fuel cell electric robot should be highly responsive to provide the required power for various tactical operations, navigation of different routes, and acceleration. This paper presents a new multi-level online energy management strategy for a fuel cell electric robot based on the proposed functions of equivalent hydrogen fuel value evaluation, classification of the battery state of charge via the squared combined efficiency function, identification of the robot maneuver condition based on the proposed operation state of robot function, improvement of the overall energy efficiency based on the proposed function of the battery overcharge control, and separation of the functional points of the fuel cell based on the operational mode control strategy. The simulation study of the proposed online multi-level energy management strategy was carried out with MATLAB R2018b software to verify its superiority by comparing with other strategies. The results indicate a reduction in hydrogen consumption, reduction in fuel cell power fluctuations, prevention of battery overcharging, and incrementation in the total energy efficiency of energy storage systems compared to other energy management strategies.

Improving the performance of a shell and tube latent heat thermal energy storage through modifications of heat transfer pipes: A comprehensive investigation on various configurations

The modification of the geometric configurations of heat transfer pipes in shell and tube Latent Heat Thermal Energy Storage (LHTES) systems not only enhances the melting process of the phase change material (PCM) but also improves the overall performance of these systems. This study aims to investigate ways to enhance the performance of LHTES systems by employing heat transfer pipes with various fin and twisted tape arrangements in a horizontal orientation. The Finite Volume Method and Enthalpy-Porosity method are employed to simulate the melting process. Stearic acid is used as the PCM material, while water serves as the heat transfer fluid. Eight different geometric configurations are modelled in the LHTES system: base case, horizontal fins, vertical fins, helical fins, horizontal tape, vertical tape, twisted tape and helical fins with twisted tape. The results show that within the time range of 0 and 29 min, the combined configuration of helical fins with twisted tape consistently demonstrates the fastest melting process. After 29 min, the configuration with vertical fins exhibits a marginally faster melting process than the combined configuration of helical fins with twisted tape. The configurations involving tapes also contribute to accelerated melting, although to a lesser extent than those with fins. Particularly, twisted tape proves highly effective in facilitating faster melting. The complete melting process times for configurations with vertical fins, helical fins, and combined helical fins with twisted tape are 38.7 %, 23.5 % and 32.7 % faster compared to the base case which is ~69 min. Among the configurations, using tapes results in higher flow resistance and surface area compared to the base case. The attractive features of these configurations make them ideal for creating efficient and space-saving energy storage systems. This study provides crucial insights into essential heat and mass transfer processes, which can be leveraged to develop advanced LHTES systems for enhanced performance and sustainable energy solutions.

Decoding the Effect of Synthesis Factors on Morphology of Nanomaterials: A Case Study to Identify and Optimize Experimental Conditions for Silver Nanowires

Silver nanowires (AgNWs) are one kind of nanomaterials for various applications such as solar panel cells and biosensors. However, the morphology of AgNWs, particularly their length and diameter, plays a critical role in determining the efficiency of energy storage systems and the transmittance of biosensors. Thus, it is imperative to study synthesis strategy for morphology control. This study focuses on synthesizing AgNWs through the solvothermal approach and aims to understand the individual and combined effects of three nucleants, NaCl, Fe(NO3)3 and NaBr, on the morphology of AgNWs. Using a modified successive multistep growth (SMG) approach and fine-tuning the nucleant concentrations, this study synthesized AgNWs with controllable aspect ratios, while minimizing the presence of undesirable byproducts like nanoparticles. Our results demonstrated the successful synthesis of AgNWs with favorable morphologies, including lengths of approximately 180 µm and diameters of 40 nm, thus resulting in aspect ratios of 4500. In addition, to assess the quality of the synthesized AgNWs, this work developed computational tools that uses MATLAB to automate the analysis of scanning electron microscope (SEM) images for detecting silver nanoparticles. This automated approach provides a quantitative analysis tool for material characterization and holds the promise for long-term evaluation of diverse AgNW samples, thereby paving the way for advancements in their synthesis and application. Overall, this study demonstrates the significance of morphology control in AgNW synthesis and presents a robust framework for material characterization and quality analysis.

Enhanced energy storage system efficiency for remote area-based DC microgrid

This article suggests a hybrid storage system-based DC microgrid to supply the needs of remote areas with variable loads demands. This would help solve problems like limited energy storage systems, complicated consumption, and unstable power production from renewable sources. Energy storage is an attractive option for isolated zone; however, a single storage unit may not be sufficient owing to constraints in capacity, power, energy density, and life cycle. consequence, this study is concerned with hybrid energy storage systems battery/supercapacitor, which combine the most advantageous characteristics of various energy storage technologies to attain relevant performance. Furthermore, the supervision energy management technique based decoupling frequency is designed with low pass filter to separate the current to tow elements, low frequency current absorbed by the battery and high frequency current that absorbed by the supercapacitor. Furthermore, PI controllers are employed to control the DC link voltage, and the current of battery and supercapacitor. Energy management control plays an important role to improve the system performance, ensure power allocation among source, storage devices, and load consumption, and to maintain the battery and supercapacitor at their limitation states of charge (SOC), the system must be able to match the load requirements during a shortage and absorb any surplus power provided by wind energy. To confirm the achievement of the objectives of this study, the comparative simulation between battery storage alone and hybrid storage system combined of battery and Supercapacitor. The simulation results show that the hybrid storage battery and supercapacitor allow to increases the stability of DC link voltage with an overshoot less than 1.5% compared to 7.5% when battery alone and fast dynamic response. in addition, reduces the battery stress and increases its lifetime in the case of hybrid storage.

Architecting MxNy-MOF@MXene composites for excellent supercapacitor electrodes

The increasing demand for efficient energy storage systems has prompted the exploration of novel electrode materials, such as bimetallic metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). This study examines the synthesis of a variety of bimetallic MxNy-MOF materials, including Ni1Co1-MOF, Ni1Co3-MOF, Ni3Co1-MOF, Cu1Co1-MOF, and Ni1Cu1-MOF, as well as their integration with MXene to produce MOF@MXene composite electrode materials for supercapacitors. These MxNy-MOF materials display distinct morphologies and uniform particle sizes. MXene serves as an effective substrate, enhancing the surface coverage with the MOF phase. In interactions with MXene, Co2+ and Cu2+ demonstrate stronger binding than Ni2+, which prefers binding with ligands. Electrochemical testing reveals that Ni and Co-based composites, particularly Ni1Co1-MOF@MXene, exhibit superior performance and achieving a high specific capacitance of 1493.6 F g−1 at 1 A g−1. These materials also show impressive rate performance and cycle stability, with a retention of 57.2 % after 5,000 cycles. An all-solid-state flexible supercapacitor using Ni1Co1-MOF@MXene demonstrates an energy density of 73.9 Wh·kg−1 at a power density of 750 W·kg−1, maintaining 81.8 % capacity and 97 % Coulombic efficiency after 10,000 cycles. The energy storage mechanism primarily involves Faradaic redox reactions of Co2+/Co3+ and Ni2+/Ni3+, coupled with OH- adsorption/desorption processes. This study not only elucidates the kinetic dynamics and storage mechanisms of these composite materials but also highlights their potential applications in advanced energy storage technologies.

Effects of cooler shape and position on solidification of phase change material in a cavity

BackgroundFor balancing the imbalance between the energy supply and demand, phase-change materials (PCMs) provide an efficient means in terms of thermal energy storage and release. The performance of the energy storage is primarily dependent on the melting as well as the solidification process of the storage medium. Faster charging or discharging of the thermal energy is a primary concern for any thermal energy storage unit. On this background, the present study explores the novel approach for enhancing the solidification process of PCM considering the effects of cooler shape (namely semi-circular, triangular, and rectangular) and their position (namely top, side, and bottom) in a molten PCM-filled enclosure. The middle portion of the cooler wall is curved; whereas the remaining cooler wall is straight maintaining the same cooler wall length. MethodsTo analyze the solidification process, the involved transport equations are solved numerically following a finite volume-based computational approach using Ansys Fluent solver in conjunction with the appropriate boundary conditions. The computational model is generated for all the geometry comprising different shapes, as well as positions of the cooler wall. The third-order upwind scheme (QUICK) technique is utilized to discretize the momentum and energy equations. This scheme is well capable to accurately capture the gradients in the temperature and flow domains. Furthermore, the semi-implicit pressure-linked equation (SIMPLE) technique is utilised to address the pressure-velocity coupling. The resolved data are then saved as selective variables (U, V, and θ), which undergo post-processing to produce a local thermo-fluid flow field and extract average data. Significant findingsThe shape, as well as the position of a cooler, dictates the solidification process in an energy storage system. Thermal energy storage with a triangular-shaped cold wall positioned at the top could be opted as an appropriate design approach of an efficient energy storage system compared to a semi-circular or rectangular-shaped cooler model. The shortest solidification time of PCM occurs when the cooler wall is positioned at the top. The top position of the cooler having a triangular shape with higher Grashof number (Gr) values leads to a faster solidification process. Some ideas for possible future research areas in this field are provided after a comprehensive examination.

Analysis and Review of Graphene based Super-Capacitor and its Fast Charging in application of Electric Vehicle

Electric Vehicles are reflected as a significant solution in developing an ecological and carbon free mode of transportation. However, the major encounters for the EVs smooth performances are its high cost, limited range of process and fast battery dreadful conditions. There are several promising strategy with comprehensive optimization techniques can lead to solve out the above-said issues. This paper represents an overview of effective fast charging techniques of EV in graphene based Super capacitor as an Energy storage system (ESS) concerning prolonging life cycle and high charging efficiency of ESS for EVs instead of Battery as an energy storage system. This paper is also dealing with the comparison analysis between the Li-ion based battery as an energy storage system with the Graphene based Super Capacitor as ESS in application of EVs

Robust load-frequency control of islanded urban microgrid using 1PD-3DOF-PID controller including mobile EV energy storage

Electricity generation in Islanded Urban Microgrids (IUMG) now relies heavily on a diverse range of Renewable Energy Sources (RES). However, the dependable utilization of these sources hinges upon efficient Electrical Energy Storage Systems (EESs). As the intermittent nature of RES output and the low inertia of IUMGs often lead to significant frequency fluctuations, the role of EESs becomes pivotal. While these storage systems effectively mitigate frequency deviations, their high costs and elevated power density requirements necessitate alternative strategies to balance power supply and demand. In recent years, substantial attention has turned towards harnessing Electric Vehicle (EV) batteries as Mobile EV Energy Storage (MEVES) units to counteract frequency variations in IUMGs. Integrating MEVES into the IUMG infrastructure introduces complexity and demands a robust control mechanism for optimal operation. Therefore, this paper introduces a robust, high-order degree of freedom cascade controller known as the 1PD-3DOF-PID (1 + Proportional + Derivative—Three Degrees Of Freedom Proportional-Integral-Derivative) controller for Load Frequency Control (LFC) in IUMGs integrated with MEVES. The controller’s parameters are meticulously optimized using the Coati Optimization Algorithm (COA) which mimics coati behavior in nature, marking its debut in LFC of IUMG applications. Comparative evaluations against classical controllers and algorithms, such as 3DOF-PID, PID, Reptile Search Algorithm, and White Shark Optimizer, are conducted under diverse IUMG operating scenarios. The testbed comprises various renewable energy sources, including wind turbines, photovoltaics, Diesel Engine Generators (DEGs), Fuel Cells (FCs), and both Mobile and Fixed energy storage units. Managing power balance in this entirely renewable environment presents a formidable challenge, prompting an examination of the influence of MEVES, DEG, and FC as controllable units to mitigate active power imbalances. Metaheuristic algorithms in MATLAB-SIMULINK platforms are employed to identify the controller’s gains across all case studies, ensuring the maintenance of IUMG system frequency within predefined limits. Simulation results convincingly establish the superiority of the proposed controller over other counterparts. Furthermore, the controller’s robustness is rigorously tested under ± 25% variations in specific IUMG parameters, affirming its resilience. Statistical analyses reinforce the robust performance of the COA-based 1PD-3DOF-PID control method. This work highlights the potential of the COA Technique-optimized 1PD-3DOF-PID controller for IUMG control, marking its debut application in the LFC domain for IUMGs. This comprehensive study contributes valuable insights into enhancing the reliability and stability of Islanded Urban Microgrids while integrating Mobile EV Energy Storage, marking a significant advancement in the field of Load-Frequency Control.

Analysis of Lithium-ion Batteries through Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy Modeling

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) is a very effective methodology employed in the evaluation of performance and degradation mechanisms associated with lithium-ion batteries. In order to comprehend the complex electrochemical processes taking place within these energy storage devices, reliable and effective diagnostic tools are required due to the constant improvements in battery technology. EIS methodology has gained prominence as a very effective non-destructive method for examining the electrochemical characteristics of batteries. This technique offers significant contributions by providing useful insights into the internal operations of batteries. The main objective of this study is to create an electrical equivalent circuit model of a lithium-ion battery based on physics, and then use EIS to comprehend the electrical behavior and impedance of the battery to evaluate its performance under various operating scenarios. We seek to identify the critical elements influencing the battery’s capacity, performance, and lifespan by capturing the intricate interaction of EIS. The results of this research are going to enhance the understanding of battery behavior and supporting the design as a more reliable and efficient energy storage systems for a wide range of applications, from portable electronic devices to electric vehicles and renewable energy integration.

Thermal performance augmentation of honeycomb metal matrix embedded phase change material in shell-tube latent heat storage unit

Due to the global warming challenge, there is a transition from the utilization of fossil fuels to harvesting new and renewable energy sources globally. Solar energy, being the infinite source with easy accessibility, leads the race among other allied sources. However intermittent nature of it demands an efficient thermal energy storage system. In the present experimental study, an innovative heat transfer augmentation technique i.e. aluminium honeycomb grill and fine mesh embedded in PCM is demonstrated. Both visualization of PCM melt fraction and capture of temperature contour complemented each other to identify the honeycomb version (HC-LHSU) as substantially better (43 % improvement in charge period) than the base model (BM-LHSU). On the other side, due to fine pores (porosity = 95 %), the fine meshmodel (FM-LHSU) yielded poorer results than BM-LHSU. Even the temperature gradient that exists during the charge or discharge period is gauged and recognized HC-LHSU as the best, followed by BM-LHSU and FM-LHSU. Since the onset of the phase transition zone reflects heat storage rate, the same is identified, and the charge period (sensible heat + latent heat) assessed to be 8000 s, 10000 s, and 12,000 s for HC-LHSU, BM-LHSU, and FM-LHSU, respectively. Further, an improvement in the average Nusselt number by 74 % and 67 % during the charge and discharge period respectively compared to the base model justified the honeycomb grill's role in augmenting the energy storage unit's performance.

Optimized energy management of a solar battery microgrid: An economic approach towards voltage stability

As the adoption of renewable energy sources (RESs) continues to surge, and the concept of microgrids (MGs) gains widespread recognition, the need for efficient battery energy storage system (BESS) management within MGs has become increasingly prominent. This paper introduces a novel Energy Management System (EMS) designed for grid-connected MGs, with the primary objectives of enhancing the energy economics of the MG, minimizing BESS degradation, and ensuring that the point of common coupling (PCC) voltage remains within prescribed limits. The proposed EMS utilizes a finite-horizon Model Predictive Control (MPC) framework to seamlessly coordinate BESS operations, encompassing charging, discharging, and reactive power provision. This coordination is done in conjunction with solar power generation, load demand, electricity pricing, and feed-in tariffs. Furthermore, the EMS accounts for uncertainties related to load and solar demand using a Monte Carlo simulation approach. The optimization goal of the proposed EMS is to minimize the expected total operational cost of the MG over a 24-hour prediction horizon. This cost encompasses both economic costs and battery degradation costs. The optimization process adheres to a set of constraints that consider BESS limitations, such as state of charge (SoC) constraints and charging/discharging limits, as well as inverter capacity limits and PCC voltage requirements. Conducting rigorous case studies on the MATLAB Simscape Electrical platform and validating them in real-time using the OPAL-RT simulator demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed EMS across diverse operational scenarios and pricing models. The findings of these case studies provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of the EMS in real-world MG applications.

Suppressing Structure Delamination for Enhanced Electrochemical Performance of Solid Oxide Cells.

Reversible solid oxide cells (rSOCs) have significant potential as efficient energy conversion and storage systems. Nevertheless, the practical application of their conventional air electrodes, such as La0.8Sr0.2MnO3-δ (LSM), Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3-δ (BSCF), and PrBa0.8Ca0.2Co2O5+δ (PBCC), remains unsatisfactory due to interface delamination during prolonged electrochemical operation. Using micro-focusing X-ray absorption spectroscopy (µ-XAS), a decrease (increase) in the co-valence state from the electrode surface to the electrode/electrolyte interface is observed, leading to the above delamination. Utilizing the one-pot method to incorporate an oxygen-vacancy-enriched CeO2 electrode into these air electrodes, the uniform distribution of the Co valence state is observed, alleviating the structural delamination. PBCC-CeO2 electrodes exhibited a degradation rate of 0.095mVh-1 at 650°C during a nearly 500-h test as compared with 0.907mVh-1 observed during the 135-h test for PBCC. Additionally, a remarkable increase in electrolysis current density from 636 to 934mAcm-2 under 1.3V and a maximum power density from 912 to 989mWcm-2 upon incorporating CeO2 into PBCC is also observed. BSCF-CeO2 and LSM-CeO2 also show enhanced electrochemical performance and prolonged stability as compared to BSCF and LSM. This work offers a strategy to mitigate the structural delamination of conventional electrodes to boost the performance of rSOCs.

Status and Development Perspectives of the Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES) Technologies—A Literature Review

The potential energy of compressed air represents a multi-application source of power. Historically employed to drive certain manufacturing or transportation systems, it became a source of vehicle propulsion in the late 19th century. During the second half of the 20th century, significant efforts were directed towards harnessing pressurized air for the storage of electrical energy. Today’s systems, which are based on storing the air at a high pressure, are usually recognized as compressed air energy storage (CAES) installations. This paper aims to provide an overview of different technologies that take advantage of the energy accumulated in the compressed air. Particular attention is paid to the CAES installations that are working as electrical energy storage systems (EESs). These systems, developed originally as large capacity (>100 MWe) and fuel-based installations, may soon become fully scalable, highly efficient, and fuel-free electrical energy storage systems. To present this opportunity, a thorough review encompassing previous and up-to-date advancements in their development was carried out. In particular, CAES concepts, such as diabatic (D-CAES), adiabatic (A-CAES), and isothermal (I-CAES), are described in detail. This review also provides the detailed characteristics of the crucial elements of these configurations, including compressors, expanders, air storage chambers, and thermal storage tanks. Knowledge of these components and their role allows us to understand the main challenges behind the further development of the mentioned CAES setups. Apart from the CAES systems that are designed as EES systems, this paper describes other prospective technologies that utilize the energy of pressurized air. Accordingly, compressed air cars and their key elements are explained in detail. Moreover, the technology renowned as wave-driven compressed air energy storage (W-CAES) is described as well, indicating that the utilization of pressurized air represents a viable option for converting ocean energy into electrical power.

Energy-Efficient Storage System Optimization and Recent Trends in Enhancing Energy Management and Access Microgrid: A Review

Energy is a vital component of our everyday lives, driving advancements in human development, economic expansion, and efficiency. Implementing sustainable energy storage systems is an economically viable approach to improving energy efficiency and regulating the generation and consumption of power. This study extensively examines energy storage, delving into several techniques, their practical uses, and the most recent progress. It focuses on environmentally sustainable alternatives for the electricity sector, including batteries, flywheels, thermal storage, and pumped hydro storage. The influence of includes compelling case examples, such as using vanadium redox flow batteries in maritime hybrid propulsion systems and advancing portable hydrogen energy storage devices. The results are encouraging, indicating that these technologies have the potential to be adequate replacements for traditional fuel sources, particularly in isolated areas where there is a critical requirement for energy storage. Moreover, this study thoroughly examines the integration options for energy storage in microgrids. It explores the complex aspects of the models, assessment indices, and optimization methods used in designing energy storage systems. This paper explores the capabilities of software used to determine the optimal size for energy storage systems. Furthermore, this study introduces and examines uncertainty analysis in modeling energy storage devices. This state-of-the-art technology has been created to demonstrate the effectiveness of energy storage systems in microgrids, providing crucial data for future progress in the industry.

Experimental parametric evaluation of adsorption characteristics for silica gel - water based open-bed system for seasonal thermal energy storage

This study aims to investigate the potential of using commercial silica gel as an energy storage material in a bulk-scale open bed adsorption-based system to achieve efficient domestic heating using renewable energy sources. Designing an efficient thermal energy storage (TES) system for practical use requires understanding of the sorption properties of the adsorbent and the effects of different operating and physical parameters on the sorption process. One critical parameter that significantly affects the energy storage density when scaling up from a laboratory to a prototype system is the amount of adsorbent in the reactor. Surprisingly, this aspect has been overlooked in previous studies. To address this research gap, a laboratory-scale test rig was designed and constructed. This rig enables the evaluation of the effects of different operating parameters (such as relative humidity, flow rate, and regeneration temperature) and physical parameters (such as the quantity of adsorbent and particle diameter) on the energy storage density of silica gel and the temperature lift in the process. The water adsorption capacity of the silica gel was measured in-house to assist in future theoretical modelling of a prototype TES system. Optimum operating conditions were determined for the system, with a relative humidity of 80 %, an air flow rate of 100 L/min, and material regeneration at 120 °C. The system's performance in terms of material energy storage density and maximum temperature lift was observed for varying amounts of adsorbent, particle diameter, and regeneration temperature at these optimal operating conditions. Finally, the required storage volume to meet domestic space heating demands was estimated based on optimal discharging conditions and compared to other experimental and theoretical studies involving silica gel-based energy storage systems.

Nickel-mixed chromium sulfide nanoparticle synthesis, characterization, and supercapacitor applications

Researchers are always encouraged to develop new electrode materials to design efficient, safe, and eco-friendly energy storage systems. Doping or mixing is an effective way to improve the electrochemical performance of supercapacitors. In this study, Ni-mixed Cr2S3 (Ni-Cr2S3) nanoparticles were synthesized through a hydrothermal technique with varying molar ratios of Ni and Cr. As prepared different Ni-Cr2S3 nanoparticles were characterized using XRD, XPS, FESEM, TEM, and EDX techniques. The results displayed that the structure and activity of the Ni-Cr2S3 were significantly influenced by the dopant quantity of Ni in Cr2S3. Among a series of Ni-Cr2S3 with various Ni:Cr ratios, the Ni-Cr2S3 (2:1) electrode exhibited a higher specific capacitance of 187.53 F g−1 at 0.5 A g−1 and good operational stability with 93.31 % retention over 5000 charge-discharge cycles. Moreover, the assembled sandwich-type symmetric supercapacitor (Ni-Cr2S3 (2:1)//Ni-Cr2S3 (2:1)) delivered the highest capacitance of 48.0 F g−1 at a current density of 1 A g−1 with excellent cycling performance of 91.26 % and Coulombic efficiency of 99.74 % after 5000 cycles at 5 A g−1. The Ni-Cr2S3 (2:1)//Ni-Cr2S3 (2:1) device possessed the energy/power density of 6.66 Wh kg−1/499.5 W kg−1, when increasing the current density it retained the energy/power density of 1.66 Wh kg−1/2988 W kg−1.

High energy density in artificial heterostructures through relaxation time modulation.

Electrostatic capacitors are foundational components of advanced electronics and high-power electrical systems owing to their ultrafast charging-discharging capability. Ferroelectric materials offer high maximum polarization, but high remnant polarization has hindered their effective deployment in energy storage applications. Previous methodologies have encountered problems because of the deteriorated crystallinity of the ferroelectric materials. We introduce an approach to control the relaxation time using two-dimensional (2D) materials while minimizing energy loss by using 2D/3D/2D heterostructures and preserving the crystallinity of ferroelectric 3D materials. Using this approach, we were able to achieve an energy density of 191.7 joules per cubic centimeter with an efficiency greater than 90%. This precise control over relaxation time holds promise for a wide array of applications and has the potential to accelerate the development of highly efficient energy storage systems.

Thermal performance evaluation during charging/discharging cycles of sensible energy storage beds for biogas production process

The breakdown of organic waste, through anaerobic digestion, for production of biogas is a temperature dependent process. The favorable temperature required for efficient production is 35 °C. Attaining the temperature required for this process, under normal conditions, is a challenging task. Hence, the development of an effective heating system is necessary. The warm water from the solar water heater is circulated through the wall of the digester wall using a heat exchanger. The intermittency in the supply of energy, as in the case of solar radiation, creates a mismatch between the demand and the supply of the energy. Hence, development of efficient energy storage system that can be used as stand-by in case of unavailability of the primary energy source.The present work modeled and predicted the thermal performance of sensible heat storage system having 10 MJ capacity which can deliver warm water at 35 °C for 4 hr. The sensible heat storage system unit is a regenerator type heat exchanger which stores/releases heat on passing hot/cold heat transfer fluid through the tubes embedded into it. A mathematical model of a cylindrical configuration with embedded multi-tube is developed employing pebbles and cast iron as storage mediums. The number of embedded charging/discharging tubes in the storage model is optimized based on the charging time using a finite element method based simulation tool (®COMSOL Multiphysics). A parametric study, including charging/discharging time, energy stored/recovered, exergy stored/recovered, and charging/discharging fraction of the system, have been used to evaluate the thermal performance. Further the effect of heat transfer fluid tube diameter and velocity, volumetric heat capacity and thermal conductivity of the storage media on performance of the storage is also investigated.

Solid Foam Insertion to Increase PCM-Based Thermal Energy Storage System Efficiency: Experimental Test and Numerical Simulation of Spherical Macrocapsules

Phase change materials (PCMs) are an interesting solution to increase the efficiency of thermal energy storage (TES) systems. The present work explores, with an experimental and computational study, the behavior of a paraffin wax encapsulated in a spherical containment system during the melting and solidification phases. The experimental tests were conducted by immersing the spherical capsule in a thermostatic water bath at different temperatures and measuring the temperatures at four different points inside the capsule. A two-dimensional CFD model of the sphere was then applied to investigate the effect of the insertion of a solid foam into the sphere to increase the system’s responsiveness under demanding conditions. In addition, an analysis of the solidification process considering two different wall materials (HDPE and aluminum) with different thermal conductivity was performed. The results suggest that embedded foams can represent a useful tool to increase the efficiency of a PCM-based TES, but, at the same time, they also highlight that a considerable increase in thermal conductivity is required to achieve significant advantages with respect to pure PCM systems.

Performance of a rotating latent heat thermal energy storage unit with heat transfer from different surfaces

Due to the rapid growth in the demand for fast and efficient latent heat thermal energy storage system, multiple heat transfer enhancement techniques have been proposed and widely investigated. Actively or passively, rotation of the energy storage unit affects the internal natural convection and the heat transfer performance. Hence, this study is conducted to evaluate the potential of the heat transfer enhancement by rotation. A two-dimensional model with the phase change material filled in the annular space of a double tube energy storage unit is developed. The numerical simulations for the heat transfer through the internal or external surfaces of the annular space are respectively conducted. Both solidification and melting of the phase change material are taken into account by the enthalpy-porosity method. According to different heat transfer surfaces and the occurrence of solidification or melting, four arrangements are formed. It is found that the rotation of the thermal energy storage unit can reduce the solidification time as high as 46 % compared to its still counterpart, but variation of the rotation speed only produces a minor influence. The effect of rotation on the melting depends on the heat transfer direction (or surface). When the heat is transferred into the solid phase change material through the internal wall, the melting time can be gradually reduced as the rotation speed increases with a maximum of 69 %. However, when the heat is transferred through the external wall, influence of the rotation results in adverse effect. This study can guide the design of innovative high performance latent heat thermal energy storage system containing rotation unit.