Abstract
An important application of solar thermal storage is for power generation or process heating. Low-temperature thermal storage in a packed rock bed is considered the best option for thermal storage for solar drying applications. In this chapter, mathematical formulations for conical have been developed. The model equations are solved numerically for charging/discharging cycles utilizing MATLAB. Results were compared with rock-bed storage with standard straight tank. From the simulated results, the temperature distribution was found to be more uniform in the truncated conical rock-bed storage. Also, the pressure drop over a long period of time in the conical thermal storage was as low as 25 Pa. Hence, the amount of power required from a centrifugal fan would be significantly lower. The flow of air inside the tank is simulated in SolidWorks software. From flow simulation, 3D modelling of flow is obtained to capture the actual scenario inside the tank.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Similar content being viewed by others
Abbreviations
- \({{A}_{s}}\) :
-
Surface area, m2
- \(C{{p}_{a}}\) :
-
Specific heat of air, J/kg°C
- \({{D}_{s}}\) :
-
Diameter of bed storage, m
- \({{D}_{r}}\) :
-
Diameter of rock element, m
- \({{F}_{r}}\) :
-
Heat removal factor
- \(f\) :
-
Friction factor
- \(G\) :
-
Air mass flow rate, kg/m2s
- \(H\) :
-
Latent heat, kJ/kg
- \(h\) :
-
Heat loss coefficient, W/m2K
- \({{h}_{v}}\) :
-
Volumetric heat loss coefficient, W/m3°C
- \(I\) :
-
Solar insolution, W/m2
- \({k_a}\) :
-
Thermal conductivity of air, W/mK
- \({{k}_{r}}\) :
-
Thermal conductivity of rock element, W/mK
- \(L\) :
-
Length, m
- \({{L}_{c}}\) :
-
Hydraulic diameter, m
- \(m\) :
-
Mass, kg
- \(\dot{m}\) :
-
Mass flow rate, kg/s
- \(N\) :
-
Number of bed elements
- \(Nu\) :
-
Nusselt number
- \(\Delta P\) :
-
Pressure drop, Pa
References
Karim MA (2011) Experimental investigation of a stratified chilled water thermal storage system. Appl Therm Eng 31(11–12):1853–1860
Zanganeh A et al (2012) Packed-bed thermal storage for concentrated Solar power. Sol Energy I(86):3084–3098
Karim MA, Hawlader MNA (2004) Development of solar air collectors for drying applications. Energy Convers Manage 45:329–344
Singh R, Saini R, Saini J (2009) Models for predicting thermal performance of packed bed energy storage system for solar air heaters—a review. Open Fuels Energy Sci J 2:47–53
Singh R, Saini R, Saini J (2008) Simulated performance of packed bed solar energy storage system having storage material elements of large size. Open Fuels Energy Sci J I:91–95
Crandall DM, Thacher EF (2003) Segmented thermal storage. Solar Energy 77(4): 435–440
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2016 Springer International Publishing Switzerland
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Karim, M., Amin, Z. (2016). Modelling Conical Rock-Bed Solar Thermal Storage Tank. In: Sayigh, A. (eds) Renewable Energy in the Service of Mankind Vol II. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-18215-5_81
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-18215-5_81
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-18214-8
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-18215-5
eBook Packages: EnergyEnergy (R0)