Experiments on stratified chilled-water tanks

This paper presents experimental studies on thermal stratification in chill ed-water storage systems. A fibreglass storage tank in static and dynamic m odes of operation is used. The parameters varied an aspect ratio, flow rate s, initial temperature difference and thickness of insulation. Emphasis is given to the effects of mixing at the inlet, leading to the definition of t he mixing coefficient. The thermocline decay increases with the value of mi xing coefficient, which is expressed as a function of Reynolds number and R ichardson number. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd and IIR. All rights reserve d.