Stratification enhancement in solar liquid thermal storage tanks: analysis and test of inlet manifolds
The operation of an inlet manifold for enhancing thermal stratification, under variable inlet conditions, in a solar liquid storage tank is described. The vertical, porous manifold is designed to remove the momentum of the incoming fluid and inhibit mixing while allowing buoyancy forces to position the fluid at the appropriate level in the tank. Theoretical models are presented that describe the performance of this manifold, identify the key design parameters, and serve as a design guide for a range of applications. The models yield predictions for the vertical distribution of the incoming flow along the manifold for given inlet conditions, tank temperature profile, and manifold characteristics. Comparison of the analytical and numerical solutions to these models with the results of quantitative and qualitative experimental observation on various manifolds ranging from model size to prototype size show a good agreement. The results of this study indicate that the one-dimensional theoretical models are adequate for describing the operation of the manifolds and provide the basis for the design of such manifolds.
- OSTI ID:
- 6881060
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Thesis (Ph. D.)
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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