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.

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.

Performance Evaluation of Compressed Air Energy Storage Using TRNSYS

The appreciable economic growth in some of the developing countries like India in the recent years, towards providing energy security causes large environmental impact. Renewable Energy(RE) is being seen as one of the important means to meet the growing power needs of the economy while enhancing energy security and providing opportunities for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. However, RE sources are highly intermittent in nature. The variability of these sources has led to concerns regarding the reliability of an electric grid that derives a large fraction of its energy from these sources as well as the cost of reliably integrating large amounts of variable generation into the electric grid. Hence at this juncture, it is necessary to explore the benefits of suitable Energy storage technologies. Compressed air energy storage(CAES) is a commercial, utility-scale technology that provides long-duration energy storage with fast ramp rates and good part-load operation. It is a promising storage technology for balancing the large-scale penetration of renewable energies, such as wind and solar power, into electric grids. Considering the potential of CAES storage, the present work, a thermodynamic model is developed with suitable assumptions and the simulation analysis is performed using transient system simulation(TRNSYS) v17 software. The system performance is compared by considering the recovery during the heat of compression using a thermal storage system and without considering the heat recovery. The overall turnaround efficiency of the system without considering the thermal energy storage(TES) system is 57 % and with TES system the efficiency is increased to 70%.

Performance analysis of thermal storage unit with possible nano enhanced phase change material in building cooling applications

The heat transfer performance of the phase change materials used in free cooling and air conditioning applications is low,due to the poor thermal conductivity of the materials.The recent phenomenal advancement in nano technology provides an opportunity for an appreciable enhancement in the thermal conductivity of the phase change materials.In order to explore the possibilities of using nano technology for various applications,a detailed parametric study is carried out,to analyse the heat transfer enhancement potential with the thermal conductivity of the conventional phase change materials and nano enhanced phase change materials under various flow conditions of the heat transfer fluid.Initially,the theoretical equation,used to determine the time for outward cylindrical solidification of the phase change material,is validated with the experimental results.It is inferred from the parametric studies,that for paraffinic phase change materials with air as the heat transfer fluid,the first step should be to increase the heat transfer coefficient to the maximum extent,before making any attempt to increase the thermal conductivity of the phase change materials,with the addition of nano particles.When water is used as the phase change material,the addition of nano particles is recommended to achieve better heat transfer,when a liquid is used as the heat transfer fluid.

An economic analysis of Iranian petroleum contract

Following three generations of buyback contracts,the new model of Iranian petroleum contracts(IPC) was introduced by the Iranian cabinet to incentivize investments in the country.This paper analyzes the fiscal terms of the contract with technical information from one of the candidate fields for licensing.The financial simulation shows that,in general,the IPC resembles more a service contract than a production sharing contract as the contractor's take is relatively low—below 5% across different scenarios of crude oil price.Second,the IPC is progressive in that as the overall profitability of the project improves the government takes an increasing share of the economic rent.The results are confirmed in a sensitivity analysis of each party's profitability and takes on oil price,CAPEX,OPEX and the fee.

Electrospun Flexible Nanofibres for Batteries:Design and Application

Flexible and free-standing electrospun nanofibres have been used as electrode materials in electrochemical energy storage systems due to their versatile properties,such as mechanical stability,superb electrical conductivity,and high functionality.In energy storage systems such as metal-ion,metal-air,and metal-sulphur batteries,electrospun nanofibres are vital for constructing flexible electrodes and substantially enhancing their electrochemical properties.The need for flexible batteries has increased with increasing demand for new products such as wearable and flexible devices,including smartwatches and flexible displays.Conventional batteries have several semirigid to rigid components that limit their expansion in the flexible device market.The creation of flexible and wearable batteries with greater mechanical flexibility,higher energy,and substantial power density is critical in meeting the demand for these new electronic items.The implementation of carbon and carbon-derived composites into flexible electrodes is required to realize this goal.It is essential to understand recent advances and the comprehensive foundation behind the synthesis and assembly of various flexible electrospun nanofibres.The design of nanofibres,including those comprising carbon,N-doped carbon,hierarchical,porous carbon,and metal/metal oxide carbon composites,will be explored.We will highlight the merits of electrospun carbon flexible electrodes by describing porosity,surface area,binder-free and free-standing electrode construction,cycling stability,and performance rate.Significant scientific progress has been achieved and logistical challenges have been met in promoting secondary battery usage;therefore,this review of flexible electrode materials will advance this easily used and sought-after technology.The challenges and prospects involved in the timely development of carbon nanofibre composite flexible electrodes and batteries will be addressed.