Abstract:
This paper addresses industry sector like concentrating solar power
(CSP) plant used for electricity generation. Up till now, this
technology is not affordable for developing countries where CSP
potential is good. To contribute on the improvement of CSP
technology, ceramic balls using sand clay and industry waste (coal
bottom ash) have been developed for sensible heat storage. In this
paper, the one dimensional two phase model has been chosen to
predict the behaviour of the ceramic oil and vegetal oil (Jatropha
curcas oil) thermal energy storage system. The results show that high
porosity (> 45%), filler material with big size and high fluid velocity
are not required for thermal energy storage because of the degradation
of the thermocline. Taking into account a tank ratio H/D of 2.5 and
a total stored energy of 2MWhth , the results show a possibility to
reach a discharge time of 9 hours with discharge efficiency of more
than 90%. The thermocline thickness variation under the variation of
fluid velocity, particle diameter, tank porosity shows that for an
effective thermal energy storage system, the thermocline maximal
thickness is around one third of the packed-bed height. To conclude,
the developed ceramic ball and Jatropha curcas oil could be
considered as an innovative and cost-effective for thermal energy
storage in CSP or other applications like solar cooker.
Description:
A Publication submitted to the West African Science Service Centre on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use and the Université Abdou Moumouni, Niger in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science Degree in Climate Change and Energy
