The growing need for renewable energy sources has highlighted the importance of technologies that can bridge the generation-demand gap in the energy system. Thermal Energy Storage (TES) can help to smooth out peaks in energy demand, thereby reducing waste resulting from excess capacity during offpeak periods. Due to their widespread use, significant effort has been dedicated to optimizing the control logic of TES components to maximize the harvested-to-stored energy ratio. The aim of this study is to compare MIX number and dimensionless exergy, two parameters commonly used to identify the storage’s ability to generate and maintain optimal temperature stratification. The investigation is conducted by comparing the parameter response to the thermo-fluid dynamic variations inside the store under several inlet temperatures and flow rates, using a two-dimensional CFD model validated on experimental data collected from an operating commercial stratified tank. The sensitivity of the two performance indicators in detecting stratification losses that are due to different charging conditions is compared, to better understand the applicability of the latter as control parameters during operational phases. Results show that the derivatives of such indicators are less sensible to the tank starting conditions and can be more robust indicators during the charging phase.

Comparison between MIX number and dimensionless exergy as performance indicators in a commercial stratified storage for future optimization of solar field operations

Vitobello R.
Membro del Collaboration Group
;
Russo R.
Supervision
;
Musto M.
Supervision
2024

Abstract

The growing need for renewable energy sources has highlighted the importance of technologies that can bridge the generation-demand gap in the energy system. Thermal Energy Storage (TES) can help to smooth out peaks in energy demand, thereby reducing waste resulting from excess capacity during offpeak periods. Due to their widespread use, significant effort has been dedicated to optimizing the control logic of TES components to maximize the harvested-to-stored energy ratio. The aim of this study is to compare MIX number and dimensionless exergy, two parameters commonly used to identify the storage’s ability to generate and maintain optimal temperature stratification. The investigation is conducted by comparing the parameter response to the thermo-fluid dynamic variations inside the store under several inlet temperatures and flow rates, using a two-dimensional CFD model validated on experimental data collected from an operating commercial stratified tank. The sensitivity of the two performance indicators in detecting stratification losses that are due to different charging conditions is compared, to better understand the applicability of the latter as control parameters during operational phases. Results show that the derivatives of such indicators are less sensible to the tank starting conditions and can be more robust indicators during the charging phase.
2024
Istituto di Scienze Applicate e Sistemi Intelligenti "Eduardo Caianiello" - ISASI - Sede Secondaria Napoli
Solar energy; performance indicator; stratified thermal energy storage; exergy; stratification; sensitivity
File in questo prodotto:
Non ci sono file associati a questo prodotto.

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14243/507561
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 0
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? ND
social impact