Latent Heat-Based Thermal Energy Storage Systems

Materials, Applications, and the Energy Market

Amritanshu Shukla, Atul Sharma, Pascal Henry Biwolé, Amritanshu Shukla, Atul Sharma, Pascal Henry Biwolé

• Publisher: Apple Academic Press
• Year: 2020
• Print ISBN:
  9781774639641
• eBook ISBN:
  9781000586930
• Topic: Ciencias físicas
• Subtopic: Física

In light of increasing human-induced global climate change, there is a greater need for clean energy resources and zero carbon projects. This new volume offers up-to-date coverage of the fundamentals as well as recent advancements in energy efficient thermal energy storage materials, their characterization, and technological applications. Thermal energy storage (TES) systems offer very high-energy savings for many of our day-to-day applications and could be a strong component for enhancing the usage of renewable/clean energy-based devices. Because of its beneficial environmental impact, this technology has received wide attention in the recent past, and dedicated research efforts have led to the development of novel materials, as well to innovative applications in very many fields, ranging from buildings to textile, healthcare to agriculture, space to automobiles. This book offers a valuable and informed systematic treatment of latent heat-based thermal energy storage systems, covering current energy research and important developmental work.

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CHAPTER 1

Thermal Energy Storage Using Phase Change Materials: An Overview

ABHISHEK ANAND*, AMRITANSHU SHUKLA, and ATUL SHARMA

Non-Conventional Energy Laboratory, Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Petroleum Technology, Jais, Amethi, India

* Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

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ABSTRACT

Thermal energy storage has been reported to be an attractive option for renewable-based technology. There are several ways, i.e., sensible and latent by which this can be stored and utilized but the most proficient and efficacious way of doing it is through latent heat storage. It has the advantages, i.e., the energy is stored at the constant temperature, a practically large amount of energy is stored, minimum volume change during the phase transition, etc. This provides an attractive option for the phase change materials (PCMs) to be used in several applications, i.e., solar photovoltaic system, buildings, solar water heating system, solar greenhouse, solar cookers, solar air heating, etc. This chapter discusses the various energy storage systems with a focus on thermal energy storage. The thermal energy storage with phase change materials has been discussed in detail. Finally, the application of PCMs in various systems has been provided.

1.1 INTRODUCTION

The thermal energy storage (TES) is not a new concept, and it has been used for centuries and has always been one of the most critical components of energy storage systems. The TES can also be defined as the temporary storage of thermal energy at high or low temperatures. It provides a reservoir of energy to adjust the mismatch between energy demand and energy supply and to meet the energy needs at all times. Generally, it is used as a bridge to cross the gap between supply and demand and also plays an important role in energy conservation.^1–2 It leads to saving of premium fuels and makes the system more cost effective by reducing the wastage of energy and capital cost. For example, storage would improve the performance of a power generation plant by load leveling and higher efficiency would lead to energy conservation and lesser generation cost.

The storage of thermal energy in the form of sensible and latent heat has become an important aspect of energy management with the emphasis on the efficient use and conservation of the waste heat and solar energy in the industry and buildings. The use of phase change material (PCM) in a latent heat storage system is an effective way of storing thermal energy and has the advantages of high energy storage density and the isothermal nature of the storage process.

In the last few decades, many researchers and technologists developed and concluded different aspects to efficiently use PCMs in various applications such as heat pumps, agricultural greenhouse, solar cooker, solar water heating systems, solar air heating systems, waste heat recovery system, and thermal control in buildings. In this chapter, different methods of TES are first described with respect to their basic characteristics. This chapter will help to find the suitable PCM for various purposes, suitable heat exchangers with ways to enhance the heat transfer, and it will also help to provide a variety of designs to store thermal energy using PCMs for different applications. The different forms of energy that can be stored include mechanical, electrical, and thermal energy, which are described in the subsequent sections.^3–4

1.1.1 MECHANICAL ENERGY STORAGE

Gravitational energy storage or pumped hydro power storage (PHPS), compressed air energy storage (CAES), and Flywheels are the basic mechanical energy storage systems. The PHPS and CAES technologies can be used for large-scale utility energy storage while flywheels are more suitable for intermediate storage. CAES technology also stores low-cost off-peak energy, in the form of compressed air in an underground reservoir.

1.1.2 ELECTRICAL STORAGE

Electrical energy storage systems are expected to work for load leveling, fluctuation smoothing, uninterruptible power supply generated by a wind turbine, or photovoltaic plants. Energy storage through batteries is an option for storing the electrical energy. The most common type of storage batteries are the lead acid and Ni-Cd.

1.1.3 THERMOCHEMICAL ENERGY STORAGE

Thermochemical storage is a new concept being considered for solar thermal applications. This storage technique relies on the energy absorbed and released in breaking and reforming molecular bonds in a completely reversible chemical reaction. In this case, the heat stored depends on the amount of storage material, the endothermic heat of reaction, and the extent of conversion.

(1.1)

where, a_r = fraction reacted, m = amount of storage material (kg) and Δh_r= endothermic heat of reaction.

FFIGURE 1.1 Different types of thermal energy storage.

1.1.4 THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE (TES)

TES sys...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half Title
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• About the Editors
• Table of Contents
• Contributors
• Abbreviations
• Preface
• 1 Thermal Energy Storage Using Phase Change Materials: An Overview
• 2 Thermal Energy Storage in Phase Change Materials and Its Applications
• 3 High Temperature Energy Storage and Phase Change Materials: A Review
• 4 Characterization Techniques of Phase Change Materials: Methods and Equipment
• 5 Heat Transfer Studies of PCMs to Optimize the Cost Efficiency for Different Applications
• 6 Application of PCMs for Enhancing Energy Efficiency and Indoor Comfort in Buildings
• 7 Phase Change Materials for Temperature Regulation of Photovoltaic Cells
• 8 Solar Cooking Applications Through Phase Change Materials
• 9 Role of Phase Change Materials in Solar Water Heating Applications
• 10 Application of Latent Heat Energy-Based Thermal Energy Storage Materials in Solar Driers and Other Agricultural Applications
• 11 Application of Phase Change Materials in Thermal Stability of Batteries and in the Automobile Sector
• 12 Herbal Materials as Thermal Energy Storage Materials
• 13 Today’s Renewable Energy Market: Innovations, Commercialization, and Impact on Market
• 14 Adoption of PCM-Based Novel Technology: Role of Awareness and Communication in Society
• Index