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Solar-driven melting dynamics in a shell and tube thermal energy store: An experimental analysis

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  • Egea, A.
  • Solano, J.P.
  • Pérez-García, J.
  • García, A.

Abstract

The integration of an array of two evacuated-tube solar collectors with a latent thermal energy storage system has been accomplished, in order to study the heat transfer characteristics during solar-driven melting. A shell-and-tube heat exchanger is employed for energy storage purposes, using 30 kg of paraffin RT70HC in the shell side. A tube bundle uniformly distributed accommodates 12 tube passes, allowing a total mass flow of 100–1000 kg/h of water for inducing turbulent-flow in the tube side. A Coriolis flowmeter is employed for measuring the mass flow through the tubes, and PT100 temperature sensors are used for measuring the inlet and exit temperature of the heat transfer fluid. Outside wall temperature is measured in different cross-sections of the tubes using T-type thermocouples, which capture the buoyancy plume of the PCM induced over the tubes during phase change. Vertical and horizontal temperature probe arrays in the shell characterize the thermal stratification that occurs during melting. Liquid fraction and energy storage during three different scenarios of solar irradiance are computed. The relation between the primary energy source and the heat transfer dynamics of the LTES are described, considering the constraints in terms of maximum PCM operating temperature and achievable liquid fraction.

Suggested Citation

  • Egea, A. & Solano, J.P. & Pérez-García, J. & García, A., 2020. "Solar-driven melting dynamics in a shell and tube thermal energy store: An experimental analysis," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 154(C), pages 1044-1052.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:154:y:2020:i:c:p:1044-1052
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2020.03.078
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Xue, H. Sheng, 2016. "Experimental investigation of a domestic solar water heater with solar collector coupled phase-change energy storage," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 86(C), pages 257-261.
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    1. Beyne, W. & T'Jollyn, I. & Lecompte, S. & Cabeza, L.F. & De Paepe, M., 2023. "Standardised methods for the determination of key performance indicators for thermal energy storage heat exchangers," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 176(C).
    2. Mohamed Fadl & Philip Eames, 2020. "Thermal Performance Analysis of the Charging/Discharging Process of a Shell and Horizontally Oriented Multi-Tube Latent Heat Storage System," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-23, November.
    3. Aramesh, M. & Shabani, B., 2020. "On the integration of phase change materials with evacuated tube solar thermal collectors," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 132(C).

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