Effects of different inlet configurations on the performance of solar storage tanks: A three-dimensional unsteady CFD simulation

Shafieian, Abdellah; Bahrami, Hamid Reza Talesh; Roostaee, Amin; Feyzi, Seyed Sina

doi:10.1016/j.csite.2023.103019

Cited by 7 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…One is to optimize the shape of the tank's inlet and outlet (Figure 7), and the other is to use flow diffusers (distributors) to distribute the high-momentum main inflowing jet into multiple sub-flows, forming radial or reverse flow to mitigate disturbances [110] (Figure 8). [112]. The simulation results showed that the tank with a double-inlet structure had better thermal stratification at high flow rates.…”

Section: Inlet and Outlet Configurationmentioning

confidence: 90%

“…Optimized Packing Method Description Characteristics [112,113] Ordered packing Filled with TESM particles in a certain order…”

Section: Referencementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Increasing inlet flow velocity induces more fluid mixing, enhancing heat transfer on one hand and increasing disturbance to the thermocline on the other. To achieve optimal design, the effects of both mixing and heat diffusion should be considered simultaneously [112]. Under the same configuration, a higher Reynolds number results in lower efficiency for SMTHS tanks [95].…”

Section: Flow Velocitymentioning

confidence: 99%

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New Advances in Materials, Applications, and Design Optimization of Thermocline Heat Storage: Comprehensive Review

Zhang,

Guo,

Zhu

et al. 2024

Energies

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To achieve sustainable development goals and meet the demand for clean and efficient energy utilization, it is imperative to advance the penetration of renewable energy in various sectors. Energy storage systems can mitigate the intermittent issues of renewable energy and enhance the efficiency and economic viability of existing energy facilities. Among various energy storage technologies, thermocline heat storage (THS) has garnered widespread attention from researchers due to its stability and economic advantages. Currently, there are only a few review articles focusing on THS, and there is a gap in the literature regarding the optimization design of THS systems. Therefore, this paper provides a comprehensive review of the recent research progress in THS, elucidating its principles, thermal storage materials, applications, and optimization designs. The novelty of this work lies in the detailed classification and analysis of various optimization designs for THS, including tank shape, aspect ratio, inlet/outlet configuration, thermal energy storage materials arrangement, operating strategies, and numerical model optimization approaches. The limitations of existing research are also identified, and future perspectives are proposed, aiming to provide recommendations for THS research and contribute to the development and promotion of THS technology.

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Section: Inlet and Outlet Configurationmentioning

confidence: 90%

“…Optimized Packing Method Description Characteristics [112,113] Ordered packing Filled with TESM particles in a certain order…”

Section: Referencementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Flow Velocitymentioning

confidence: 99%

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New Advances in Materials, Applications, and Design Optimization of Thermocline Heat Storage: Comprehensive Review

Zhang,

Guo,

Zhu

et al. 2024

Energies

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“…As the hot water rose to the upper part, the unboiled water sank to the lower part, creating stratification within the tank [5][6][7][8]. The layering effect in thermal storage tanks significantly affects operational efficiency, with well-stratified tanks meeting the heat load demand while improving energy use efficiency [9][10][11]. Parameters such as the Richardson number, MIX number, and hot water output rate have been proposed to describe tank stratification more intuitively [12].…”

Section: Of 18mentioning

confidence: 99%

The Impact of Inlet Structure on Stratification Performance in Thermal Storage Tanks: A Study through Simulation and Experimental Analysis

Xing,

Zhang,

Zhang

et al. 2024

Applied Sciences

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Thermal storage tanks are the most widely used devices for thermodynamic storage. Their stratification performance is a key factor in determining their effectiveness. In this study, a structure was proposed to improve the thermal stratification of an elbow-type thermal storage tank. An experimental study was conducted on its exothermic properties for applications in hot water storage tanks. An experimental analysis was performed to investigate the exothermic properties of the proposed structure, and the results were compared with those obtained from simulations using CFD (ANSYS 19.1) software. To investigate the effect of thermal stratification on the water inlet structure, the Richardson number, hot water output rate, and MIX number of the elbow inlet structure were compared with those of the water distributor inlet structure. The results show that the MIX numbers corresponding to the inlet structures of the two types of tanks, the elbow and water distributor types, are not very different. These values were almost identical to the Richardson numbers. Under the same working conditions, the hot water output rate was 84.90% for the elbow inlet structure and 76.39% for the water distributor inlet structure. In conclusion, elbow-type water inlet structures are easy to install, and the manufacturing process is simplified.

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Backward-facing step heat transfer enhancement: a systematic study using porous baffles with different shapes and locations and corrugating after step wall

Talaei,

Bahrami

2023

Heat Mass Transfer

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Effects of different inlet configurations on the performance of solar storage tanks: A three-dimensional unsteady CFD simulation

Cited by 7 publications

References 24 publications

New Advances in Materials, Applications, and Design Optimization of Thermocline Heat Storage: Comprehensive Review

New Advances in Materials, Applications, and Design Optimization of Thermocline Heat Storage: Comprehensive Review

The Impact of Inlet Structure on Stratification Performance in Thermal Storage Tanks: A Study through Simulation and Experimental Analysis

Backward-facing step heat transfer enhancement: a systematic study using porous baffles with different shapes and locations and corrugating after step wall

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