Optimizing Phase Change Composite Thermal Energy Storage Using the Thermal Ragone Framework

Research output: NRELPresentation

Abstract

The thermal Ragone framework can be applied to the design of thermal energy storage heat exchangers to identifying relationships between their power requirements and energy capabilities. This presentation focuses on the design of planar thermal energy storage heat exchangers with phase change materials and thermal conductivity additives. Finite-difference models were used to optimize thermal storage heat exchanger designs focusing on key design parameters of conductivity additive volume fraction, spacing between tubes, and the phase transition temperatures. Design trends were developed for optimal designs based on varying thermal power requirements. To aid in future device design, models of reduced complexity were developed with the ability to predict optimal designs with computational speeds up to 5,000 times faster than finite-difference models.
Original languageAmerican English
Number of pages19
StatePublished - 2023

Publication series

NamePresented at the 2023 ASHRAE Winter Conference, 4-8 February 2023, Atlanta, Georgia

NREL Publication Number

  • NREL/PR-5500-84951

Keywords

  • exchanger
  • heat
  • optimization
  • thermal energy storage
  • thermal Ragone

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