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Stratified Laboratory Thermal Energy Storage (LabTES) Tank Experiments: Sensible Only and Sensible Augmented with PCM-Filled Tubes

Schafer, KelseyLee H
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6496-7999
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1485188766373872

Abstract Details

2016, MS, University of Cincinnati, Engineering and Applied Science: Mechanical Engineering.
The University of Cincinnati utilizes large scale stratified thermal energy storage (TES) tanks in its water cooling system. The goal of this study is to investigate the potential benefits of an affordable, easily manufactured and installed system incorporating phase change materials (PCM) to augment the thermal capacity of these pre-existing stratified tanks. A 187-gallon laboratory TES tank has been constructed and installed into the chilled water system at the University of Cincinnati’s east power plant. A rack made of PVC with cylindrical copper tubes full of PCM placed along its height was set in the center of the laboratory TES tank to test the effects of augmenting the University’s TES tanks with PCM. The laboratory TES tank was tested first without the PCM (sensible thermal storage) in order to gather reference data, and then was tested with the cylinders of PCM (sensible and latent thermal storage) augmenting thermal capacity. Separate charge and discharge half-cycle tests were run with flow rates between 0 and 2.5 GPM, and then continuing half-cycle tests were run with a controlled flow rate of 2.5 GPM. Charge time, discharge time, thermocline thickness, storage capacity, half figure of merit (FOM), and system efficiency were calculated for each test and used to draw conclusions on tank performance. It was found that the use of PCM in the laboratory stratified TES tank increased the thermal storage capacity of the tank by approximately 10% while thermocline thickness remained nearly the same, and system efficiency slightly increased.
Michael Kazmierczak, Ph.D. (Committee Chair)
Ahmed Elgafy, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Milind Jog, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
96 p.
Engineering
Thermal; Energy; Storage; Phase; Change; Material

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Schafer, K. H. (2016). Stratified Laboratory Thermal Energy Storage (LabTES) Tank Experiments: Sensible Only and Sensible Augmented with PCM-Filled Tubes [Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1485188766373872

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Schafer, KelseyLee. Stratified Laboratory Thermal Energy Storage (LabTES) Tank Experiments: Sensible Only and Sensible Augmented with PCM-Filled Tubes. 2016. University of Cincinnati, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1485188766373872.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Schafer, KelseyLee. "Stratified Laboratory Thermal Energy Storage (LabTES) Tank Experiments: Sensible Only and Sensible Augmented with PCM-Filled Tubes." Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati, 2016. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1485188766373872

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.