Thermal Analysis for Ice Rink Cooling and Building Heating Systems with Underground Storage Tank

Abstract

Abstract-In this study, the long-term performance of two thermal systems with the spherical underground thermal energy storage (TES) tank is investigated. The thermal systems are an ice rink cooling system, and ice rink cooling and house heating system with the TES tank, which consist of an ice rink, a chiller unit, a house to be heated, a heat pump and spherical underground TES tank. Two analytical models for the systems are developed for finding the thermal performance of the cooling and heating systems. The models are based on the solution of transient heat transfer problem outside the TES tank, energy requirements of the ice rink, chiller unit, heat pump and house. The solution of the problem is obtained using a similarity transformation and Duhamel superposition techniques. Analytical expressions for heat gain or loss of the ice rink, and for energy needs of the chiller unit, heat pump and house are derived as a function of inside design air, ambient air and water temperature in the TES tank. Analytical models are consisted of by combining of the solution equation and expressions for the each component of the thermal systems.Interactive computer programs in Matlab based on the analytical models are prepared for finding an hourly variation of water temperatures in the TES tank, coefficients of performance (COP) of the chiller and heat pump, and timespan required to attain annually periodic operating conditions. Results indicate that COP of the chiller and heat pump, and operation time of span changes between 2-5 and 4-7, and 6-7 years respectively.