Coupling strategy of multi-module high temperature solid sensible heat storage system for large scale application

In the present study, a comprehensive coupling strategy is developed to evaluate the performance of multi-module sensible heat storage system using a 1-D dynamic model. The experimentally validated 1-D dynamic model developed by authors research team has been adopted to scale-up the heat storage capacity for large scale application. Sensible heat storage modules having a multi-tube shell and tube configuration made of cast steel, cast iron and concrete materials have been employed. Air is considered as the heat transfer fluid. Six flowsheet Cases are framed to evaluate the charging (493–573 K) and the discharging (373–573 K) coupling strategies connected in series and parallel arrangements. The cost of the net energy discharged (USD/kW-h) from each Case is evaluated. The result shows that the net energy discharge cost of Case 6 (with three parallel channels and two different sensible heat storage modules in each channel) is highest (62.26 USD/kW-h). Case 3 (six concrete connected in the series arrangement) yields high storage and discharge energy densities at a low cost of 1.18 USD/kW-h. The proposed flowsheet models are highly useful in studying the performance of different storage materials coupled in different arrangements for developing a low cost and high energy density sensible heat storage system.