Distributed energy storage: Time-dependent tree flow design

This article proposes “distributed energy storage” as a basic design problem of distributing energy storagematerial on an area. The energyflows by fluid flow from a concentrated source to points (users) distributed equidistantly on the area. The flow is time-dependent. Several scenarios are analyzed: sensible-heat storage, latent-heat storage, exergy storage vs energy storage, and the distribution of a finite supply of heat transfer surface between the source fluid and the distributed storage material. The chief conclusion is that the finite amount of storage material should be distributed proportionally with the distribution of the flow rate of heating agent arriving on the area. The total time needed by the source stream to “invade” the area is cumulative (the sum of the storage times required at each storage site) and depends on the energy distribution paths and the sequence in which the users are served by the source stream. Directions for future designs of distributed storage and retrieval are outlined in the concluding section.

[1]  Adrian Bejan,et al.  The physics of spreading ideas , 2012 .

[2]  Adrian Bejan,et al.  Distributed energy tapestry for heating the landscape , 2010 .

[3]  A. Bejan Two Thermodynamic Optima in the Design of Sensible Heat Units for Energy Storage , 1978 .

[4]  C. Elphick,et al.  Constructal Theory: From Engineering to Physics, and How Flow Systems Develop Shape and , 2006 .

[5]  Gabriel Popkin,et al.  The physics of life , 2016, Nature.

[6]  Anica Trp,et al.  An experimental and numerical investigation of heat transfer during technical grade paraffin melting and solidification in a shell-and-tube latent thermal energy storage unit , 2005 .

[7]  R. Velraj,et al.  Review of solar cooling methods and thermal storage options , 2011 .

[8]  Adrian Bejan,et al.  Tree-shaped networks with loops , 2005 .

[9]  Elisa Guelpa,et al.  Second Law Optimization of a PCM Based Latent Heat Thermal Energy Storage System with Tree Shaped Fins , 2014 .

[10]  Jerzy Banaszek,et al.  Experimental study of solid–liquid phase change in a spiral thermal energy storage unit , 1999 .

[11]  Ling Chen Progress in study on constructal theory and its applications , 2012 .

[12]  Chen Lingen Progress in study on constructal theory and its applications , 2012 .

[13]  Adrian Bejan,et al.  The constructal law origin of the logistics S curve , 2011 .

[14]  Tom Gaertner,et al.  Advanced Engineering Thermodynamics , 2016 .

[15]  D. Groulx,et al.  Effects of the number and distribution of fins on the storage characteristics of a cylindrical latent heat energy storage system: a numerical study , 2012 .

[16]  Mete Avci,et al.  Experimental study of thermal energy storage characteristics of a paraffin in a horizontal tube-in-shell storage unit , 2013 .

[17]  Adriano Sciacovelli,et al.  Maximization of performance of a PCM latent heat storage system with innovative fins , 2015 .

[18]  A. Bejan,et al.  Constructal law of design and evolution: Physics, biology, technology, and society , 2013 .

[19]  Adrian Bejan,et al.  Tree-shaped insulated designs for the uniform distribution of hot water over an area , 2001 .

[20]  R. Pitchumani,et al.  Analysis and optimization of a latent thermal energy storage system with embedded heat pipes , 2011 .