The Effect of Water Flow Velocity on Heat Collection Performance of Active Heat Storage and Release System for Solar Greenhouses

In order to explore the influence of water velocity on the heat collection performance of the active heat storage and release system for solar greenhouses,six different flow rates were selected for treatment in this experiment.The comprehensive heat transfer coefficient of the active heat storage and release system at the heat collection stage was calculated by measuring the indoor solar radiation intensity,indoor air temperature and measured water tank temperature.The prediction model of water temperature in the heat collection stage was established,and the initial value of water temperature and the comprehensive heat transfer coefficient were input through MATLAB software.The simulated value of water temperature was compared with the measured value and the results showed that the best heat transfer effect could be achieved when the water flow speed was 1.0 m3h-1.The average relative error between the simulated water tank temperature and the measured value is 2.70-6.91%.The results indicate that the model is established correctly,and the variation trend of water temperature can be predicted according to the model in the heat collection stage.

Interannual variability of mixed layer depth and heat storage of upper layer in the tropical Pacific Ocean

By using the upper layer data(downloaded from the web of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography),the interannual variability of the heat storage of upper layer(from surface to 400 m depth) and the mixed layer depth in the tropical Pacific Ocean are investigated. The abnormal signal of the warm event comes from the central and west Pacific Ocean, whereas it is regarded that the abnormal signal of the warm event comes from the east Pacific Ocean in the popular viewpoint. From the viewpoint on the evolution of the interannual variability of the mixed layer depth and the heat storage of the whole upper layer, the difference between the two types of El Nino is so small that it can be neglected. During these two El Nino/La Nina events(1972/1973 and 1997/1998), other than the case of the heat storage or for the mixed layer depth, the abnormal signal propagates from the central and west Pacific Ocean to the east usually by the path along the equator whereas the abnormal signal propagates from the east to the west by the path northern to the equator. For the interannual variability, the evolution of the mixed layer depth corresponds to that of the heat storage in the upper layer very well. This is quite different from the evolution of seasonality.

Synthesis and characterization of salt-impregnated anodic aluminum oxide composites for low-grade heat storage

Thermochemical heat storage(THS)systems have recently attracted a lot of attention in research and development.In this study,an anodic aluminum oxide(AAO)template,fabricated by a two-step anodization method,was used for the first time as the matrix material for a THS system.Different salts were studied as thermochemical materials for their suitability in low-grade heat storage application driven by solar energy for an open system.Compositions were prepared by absorbing CaCl2,MgCl2,LiCl,LiNO3 and mixtures of these salts under a vacuum in an AAO matrix.Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy was used to examine the morphology of the produced AAO composites.Thermal energy storage capacities of the composites were characterized using a differential scanning calorimeter.Characterization analysis showed that anodized Al plates were suitable matrix materials for THS systems,and composite sorbent prepared with a 1:1 ratio LiCl/LiNO3 salt mixture had the highest energy value among all composites,with an energy density of 468.1 k J·kg-1.

Heat transfer and parametric studies of an encapsulated phase change material based cool thermal energy storage system

This work investigates the transient behaviour of a phase change material based cool thermal energy storage (CTES) system comprised of a cylindrical storage tank filled with encapsulated phase change materials (PCMs) in spherical container integrated with an ethylene glycol chiller plant. A simulation program was developed to evaluate the temperature histories of the heat transfer fluid (HTF) and the phase change material at any axial location during the charging period. The results of the model were validated by comparison with experimental results of temperature profiles of HTF and PCM. The model was also used to investigate the effect of porosity, Stanton number, Stefan number and Peclet number on CTES system performance. The results showed that increase in porosity contributes to a higher rate of energy storage. However, for a given geometry and heat transfer coefficient, the mass of PCM charged in the unit decreases as the increase in porosity. The St number as well as the Ste number is also influential in the performance of the unit. The model is a convenient and more suitable method to determine the heat transfer characteristics of CTES system. The results reported are much useful for designing CTES system.

Operation Performance of Central Solar Heating System with Seasonal Storage Water Tank in Harbin

This paper presented a preliminary research on the central solar heating system with seasonal storage(CSHSSS)used in cold climate in China.A mathematical model of the solar energy seasonal storage water tank used in the central solar heating system was firstly developed based on energy conservation.This was followed by the simulation of the CSHSSS used in a two-floor villa in Harbin,and analysis of the impacts on storage water temperature of tank volume,solar collector area,tank burial depth,insulation thickness around the tank,etc.The results show there is a relatively economical tank volume to optimize the system efficiency,which decreases with increasing tank volume at the constant collector area,and increases with increasing collector area at the constant tank volume.Furthermore,the insulation thickness has obvious effect on avoiding heat loss,while the tank burial depth doesn't.In addition,the relationship between the solar collector efficiency and storage water temperature is also obtained,it decreases quickly with increasing storing water temperature,and then increases slowly after starting space heating system.These may be helpful for relevant design and optimization in cold climates in China and all over the world.

Performance of underground heat storage system in a double-film-covered greenhouse

An underground heat storage system in a double-film-covered greenhouse and an adjacent greenhouse without the heat storage system were designed on the basis of plant physiology to reduce the energy consumption in greenhouses. The results indicated that the floor temperature was respectively 5.2℃, 4.6℃ and 2.0 ℃ higher than that of the soil in the adjacent reference greenhouse after heat storage in a clear, cloudy and overcast sky in winter. Results showed that the temperature and humidity were feasible for plant growth in the heat saving greenhouse.

Numerical Analysis of Doublet Wells for Cold Energy Storage on Heat Damage Treatment in Deep Mines

Deep mining is an inevitable tendency in the development of coal industry. There are many heat damage problems with the increase of mining depth. The technology of using doublet wells, together with Heat Exchange Machine Systems （HEMSs）, to store cold energy is a key to solve the heat damage problems in deep mines. Based on the geological conditions, thermodynamic and hydraulic parameters of Jiahe Mine, the isotherms in the period of cold energy storage and refrigeration and the volumes of cold water within different temperature ranges of the cold energy storage well were numerically analyzed. The results show that 1） with the same pumped and injected water volumes, the lower the temperature of injected water is, the larger the volume.of cold water in the cold energy storage well is. With the larger volume, the effect of cold energy storage is better. 2） the larger the volumes of pumped and reinjected water frigeration is better. And 3） without disturbance, the volume and temperature of cold water in the cold energy storage well can keep unchanged or have only a little change for a long time. Therefore the technology of doublet wells for cold energy storage is feasible and the cold energy storage aquifers can meet the requirement of the technology.

Operating performance of novel reverse-cycle defrosting method based on thermal energy storage for air source heat pump

To solve the fundamental problem of insufficient heat available during defrosting while ensuring the efficient and safe system operation for air-source heat pumps (ASHPs). A novel reverse-cycle defrosting (NRCD) method based on thermal energy storage to eliminate frost off the outdoor coil surface was developed. Comparative experiments using both the stand reverse cycle defrosting (SRCD) method and the NRCD method were carried out on an experimental ASHP unit with a nominal 2.5 kW heating capacity. The results indicate that during defrosting operation, using the NRCD method improves discharge and suction pressures by 0.24 MPa and 0.19 MPa, respectively, shortens defrosting duration by 60%, and reduces the defrosting energy consumption by 48.1% in the experimental environment, compared with those by the use of SRCD method. Therefore, using the NRCD method can shorten the defrosting duration, improve the indoor thermal comfort, and reduce the defrosting energy consumption in defrosting.

Effect of Radial Porosity Oscillation on the Thermal Performance of Packed Bed Latent Heat Storage

Owing to its high heat storage capacity and fast heat transfer rate,packed bed latent heat storage(LHS)is considered as a promising method to store thermal energy.In a packed bed,the wall effect can impact the packing arrangement of phase change material(PCM)capsules,inducing radial porosity oscillation.In this study,an actual-arrangement-based three-dimensional packed bed LHS model was built to consider the radial porosity oscillation.Its fluid flow and heat transfer were analyzed.With different cylindrical sub-surfaces intercepted along the radial direction in the packed bed,the corresponding relationships between the arrangement of capsules and porosity oscillation were identified.The oscillating distribution of radial porosity led to a non-uniform distribution of heat transfer fluid(HTF)velocity.As a result,radial temperature distributions and liquid fraction distributions of PCMs were further affected.The effects of different dimensionless parameters(e.g.,tube-to-capsule diameter ratio,Reynolds number,and Stefan number)on the radial characteristics of HTF and PCMs were discussed.The results showed that different diameter ratios correspond to different radial porosity distributions.Further,with an increase in diameter ratio,HTF velocity varies significantly in the near wall region while the non-uniformity of HTF velocity in the center region will decrease.The Reynolds and Stefan numbers slightly impact the relative velocity distribution of the HTF-while higher Reynolds numbers can lead to a proportional improvement of velocity,an increase in Stefan number can promote heat storage of the packed bed LHS system.

Melting heat transfer enhancement of a horizontal latent heat storage unit by fern-fractal fins

The latent heat storage(LHS)technique is of crucial importance in chemical energy engineering.Inspired by multi-bifurcated fern leaves,a mimic fern-fractal fin is designed to improve the thermal energy charging efficiency.This paper develops a transient melting model of a rectangular LHS unit using fern-fractal fins,and their melting behaviors are compared with the conventional fins.Besides,a parametric optimization of fernfractal fins is conducted for maximizing the thermal efficiency based on the response surface method(RSM).The results indicate that the temperature uniformity is more superior and the melting duration is shorter for the fern-fractal LHS unit when compared with the conventional one.Interestingly,the fern-fractal LHS device presents a slower heat storage rate during the initial conduction-dominated and early convection-dominated melting stages,while a prominent melting enhancement is achieved during the later melting stage.The shortest melting time is obtained based on the RSM technique when a fern-fractal fin with length ratio α=0.94 and branch angle θ=54.7°is utilized.Compared with a conventional fin,the averaged heat storage rate increases by 88.3%,and the total melting time is declined by 40.3%for an optimized fern-fractal fin.

Fabrication of Al_2O_3-NaCl Composite Heat Storage Materials by One-step Synthesis Method

Thermal energy storage is an attractive option for effectiveness since it gives flexibility and reduces energy consumption and costs. New composite materials for storage and transformation of heat of NaCl-Al2O3composite materials were synthesized by one-step synthesis method. The chemical composition, morphology, structure, and thermal properties were investigated by XRD, EDS, SEM, and DSC. The results show that NaCl can be absorbed by Al2O3particle from 800 to 900 ℃ for Al2O3particle surface is rich active structure. The results also indicate that the leakage of NaCl when the phase change can be prevented by Al2O3particles and the enthalpy of phase change of NaCl-Al2O3material is 362 J/g. The composites have an excellent heat storage capacity. Therefore, this study contributes to one new thought and method to prepare high temperature heat storage material and this material can be applied in future thermal engineering.

Simultaneous CO_(2) capture and thermochemical heat storage by modified carbide slag in coupled calcium looping and CaO/Ca(OH)2 cycles

The simultaneous CO_(2) capture and heat storage performances of the modified carbide slag with byproduct of biodiesel were investigated in the process coupled calcium looping and CaO/Ca(OH)2 thermochemical heat storage using air as the heat transfer fluid.The modified carbide slag with by-product of biodiesel exhibits superior CO_(2) capture and heat storage capacities in the coupled calcium looping and heat storage cycles.The hydration conversion and heat storage density of the modified carbide slag after 30 heat storage cycles are 0.65 mol·mol^(-1) and 1.14 GJ·t^(-1),respectively,which are 1.6 times as high as those of calcined carbide slag.The negative effect of CO_(2) in air as the heat storage fluid on the heat storage capacity of the modified carbide slag is overcome by introducing CO_(2) capture cycles.In addition,the CO_(2) capture reactivity of the modified carbide slag after the multiple calcium looping cycles is enhanced by the introduction of heat storage cycles.By introducing 10 heat storage cycles after the 10th and 15th CO_(2) capture cycles,the CO_(2) capture capacities of the modified carbide slag are subsequently improved by 32%and 43%,respectively.The porous and loose structure of modified carbide slag reduces the diffusion resistances of CO_(2) and steam in the material in the coupled process.The formed CaCO_(3)in the modified carbide slag as a result of air as the heat transfer fluid in heat storage cycles decomposes to regenerate CaO in calcium looping cycles,which improves heat storage capacity.Therefore,the modified carbide slag with by-product of biodiesel seems promising in the coupled calcium looping and CaO/Ca(OH)_(2) heat storage cycles.

Time-Temperature Charge Function of a High Dynamic Thermal Heat Storage with Phase Change Material

A thermal heat storage system with an energy content of 40 kWh and a temperature of 58°C will be presented. This storage system is suitable for supporting the use of renewable energies in buildings and for absorbing solar heat, heat from co-generation and heat pumps or electric heat from excess wind and solar power. The storage system is equipped with a plate heat exchanger that is so powerful that even with small temperature differences between the flow temperature and the storage temperature a high load dynamic is achieved. The storage system has a performance of 2.8 kW at 4 K and 10.6 kW at a temperature difference of 10 K. Thus, large performance variations in solar thermal systems or CHP plants can be buffered very well. Further a storage charge function Q(T, t) will be presented to characterize the performance of the storage.

Study on performance of a packed bed latent heat thermal energy storage unit integrated with solar water heating system

In thermal systems such as solar thermal and waste heat recovery systems, the available energy supply does not usually coincide in time with the process demand. Hence some form of thermal energy storage (TES) is necessary for the most effective utilization of the energy source. This study deals with the experimental evaluation of thermal performance of a packed bed latent heat TES unit integrated with solar flat plate collector. The TES unit contains paraffin as phase change material (PCM) filled in spherical capsules, which are packed in an insulated cylindrical storage tank. The water used as heat transfer fluid (HTF) to transfer heat from the solar collector to the storage tank also acts as sensible heat storage material. Charging experiments were carried out at varying inlet fluid temperatures to examine the effects of porosity and HTF flow rate on the storage unit performance. The performance parameters such as instantaneous heat stored, cumulative heat stored, charging rate and system efficiency are studied. Discharging experiments were carried out by both continuous and batchwise processes to recover the stored heat, and the results are presented.

Effect of Postharvest Heat Treatment on Pear Browning during Storage

The effect of postharvest heat treatment on browning of Huangguan pear was investigated. The results showed that heat treatment improved hardness and soluble solid content of stored pear fruit, postponed the improvement of MDA content and PPO activity in stored pear fruit and alleviated the reduction of SOD activity and the lowering of PG activity. To sum up, heat treatment reduces the occurrence of browning of stored pear fruit through the regulation of the changes in a series of physiological and biochemical indexes of fruit.

Optimal Scheduling Method of Cogeneration System with Heat Storage Device Based on Memetic Algorithm

Electric-heat coupling characteristics of a cogeneration system and the operating mode of fixing electricity with heat are the main reasons for wind abandonment during the heating season in the Three North area.To improve the wind-power absorption capacity and operating economy of the system,the structure of the system is improved by adding a heat storage device and an electric boiler.First,aiming at the minimum operating cost of the system,the optimal scheduling model of the cogeneration system,including a heat storage device and electric boiler,is constructed.Second,according to the characteristics of the problem,a cultural gene algorithm program is compiled to simulate the calculation example.Finally,through the system improvement,the comparison between the conditions before and after and the simulation solutions of similar algorithms prove the effectiveness of the proposed scheme.The simulation results show that adding the heat storage device and electric boiler to the scheduling optimization process not only improves the wind power consumption capacity of the cogeneration system but also reduces the operating cost of the system by significantly reducing the coal consumption of the unit and improving the economy of the system operation.The cultural gene algorithm framework has both the global evolution process of the population and the local search for the characteristics of the problem,which has a better optimization effect on the solution.

Numerical Assessment on Fin Design Parameters Employed for Augmentation of Natural Convection and Fluid Flow in a Horizontal Latent Heat Thermal Energy Storage Unit

The present work focus on the thermal performance of a horizontal concentric heat exchanger, which is numerically investigated to evaluate the heat transfer enhancement process by adding fins with different configurations. As a part of this investigation, the melting process is simulated from the onset of phase change to the offset involving physics of natural convection in PCM fluid pool. The investigation is carried out by ANSYS Fluent code, which is an efficient numerical analysis tool for investigating fluid flow and convective heat transfer phenomena during PCM melting process. The attention is mainly focused on the extension of contact area between the PCM body and cylindrical capsule to enhance heat transfer rates to PCM bodies during the melting process by employing longitudinal fins in the enclosed capsule. Two commercial PCMs: RT50 and C58, are introduced in a 2D cylindrical pipe with their thermo-physical properties as input for modelling. The selected modelling approach is validated against experimental result with respect to the total enthalpy changes that qualify our model to run in the proceeding calculation. It is ensured that an isothermal boundary condition (373 K) is applied to the inner pipe throughout the series of simulation cases and the corresponding Rayleigh number (Ra) ranges from 104 - 105 and Prandtl number (Pr) 0.05 - 0.07. Finally, parametric study is carried out to evaluate the effect of length, thickness and number of longitudinal fins on the thermal performance of PCM-LHTES (Latent Heat Thermal Energy Storage) system associated with the physics of natural convection process during PCM melting.

Comprehensive Molten Salt Storage Shell and Supporting Structure Design and Analysis-Part I:A Conductive and Convective Theoretical Heat Transfer Analysis for Molten Salt Cylindrical Shells at 565℃ and 700℃

In this paper a full theoretical thermal analysis of a large molten salt container,80-foot in diameter and 46-foot high,including a four-foot elliptic shell roof,is presented for two temperatures,the standard 565℃ and a futuristic 700℃,which substantially improves the efficiency of the molten salt containers through the use of a highly stable chloride salt called SS700(SaltStream 700).The theoretical analysis includes conductive and convective heat transfer analysis in the steel container,elliptic roof shell,the fiberglass insulation,and firebrick insulation,and includes thermal insulation designs to safeguard against energy losses at high temperatures.The underlying soil and the high temperature concrete foundation were analyzed theoretically using conductive heat transfer,however the area surrounding the soil surface around the bottom of the molten salt storage tank had convective heat transfer analysis included.The final designs presented in this paper seek to limit heat losses to a maximum of 250 W/m^(2) while being able to operate at a minimum external ambient temperature of-10℃,which determines the thicknesses of the fiberglass and firebrick insulation.

Solar Desalination with Latent Heat Storage Materials and Solar Collector

Availability of clean water is going to become one of biggest demands of the country. Even though there arc various technologies available for purification of water harnessing solar energy fits the purpose for future problems. Distillation is one of many processes available for water purification, and solar energy is one of several forms of heat energy that can be used to energize this process. In this review a study is made to enhance the productivity of the solar stills by connecting solar still with latent heat storage and solar air heater in series and other factors like improving evaporation rate by maintaining Low depth, more exposure area, heat addition by solar collector and presence of latent heat storage material, which is a paraffin wax as a integral part of still. Latent heat storage is one of the most efficient ways of storing thermal energy. Unlike the sensible heat storage method, the latent heat storage method provides much higher storage density, with a smaller temperature difference between storing and releasing heat. Further augmentation of the yield by scraps, pebble, and sand are added.

Effect of Heat-Treatment Process on Properties of Rare Earth Mg-Based System Hydrogen Storage Alloys with AB_3-Type

The effect of heat-treatment process on the properties of Mm0.8Mg0.2(NiCoAlMn)3.5 hydrogen storage alloy was discussed . The electrochemical properties such as cycling stability, activation property, and the plateau voltage of the alloy which was heat-treated in various temperatures and times had different changes during the cycle process, the optimum heat-treatment conditions of this alloy were determined by this work.