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Computer Modeling of Thermal Storage Walls

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5384994· OSTI ID:5384994
The modeling of the three-dimensional heat transfer characteristics of thermal storage walls and the effect of nonuniform irradiation is investigated. Depending on how much of the wall is irradiated, a small error in energy storage is introduced with the one-dimensional, uniform irradiation assumption. The results show that these assumptions, currently used in most passive design codes, are adequate to predict the thermal energy storage characteristics. However, the temperature distribution along the surface of the wall is much different when the nonuniform irradiation case is considered. The addition of a highly conductive metal cover on the front surface of the wall does not significantly improve the thermal energy storage characteristics of the wall when the wall is partially irradiated. A selective radiation coating reduces front losses and improves the energy storage capacity of the wall 9 to 13%.
Research Organization:
Solar Energy Research Inst., Golden, CO (USA)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)
DOE Contract Number:
AC36-08GO28308;
OSTI ID:
5384994
Report Number(s):
SERI/TP-721-610
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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