Performance analysis of a direct-contact thermal energy storage-solidification

Performance of a direct-contact latent heat energy storage during dischargi ng process has been investigated. The storage medium used is sodium thiosul phate pentahydrate of which the melting temperature is 48 degrees C and the heat exchanging fluid is heat transfer oil. An empirical expression to eva luate the volumetric heat transfer coefficient has been carried out. A lump ed analysis is also found to be quite suitable to analyze the temperature o f the storage medium and its solid fraction including the temperature of th e oil leaving the storage. The results agree well with those of the experim ents. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.