Thermal stratification in storage tanks

Thesis/Dissertation · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1981

OSTI ID:5663663

Abdoly, M A

Thermal stratification in a hot water storage tank has been studied, theoretically and experimentally. The theoretical study includes a conduction analysis model. The model is solved for four different cases: (Case 1) Uninsulated-unstratified hot water column. (Case 2) Uninsulated-stratified hot water column. (Case 3) Insulated-unstratified hot water storage. (Case 4) Insulated-stratified hot water storage. Analytical and/or numerical solutions for each case are developed and computer programs are written for these cases. The relationship between numerical and analytical methods are found, and they are in good agreement with each other (within 1%). The percentage of recoverable heat (PHR), and thickness of the thermocline (d) are defined and theoretical relationships are found between PHR, d and different design parameters such as length of tank (L), radius of tank (r/sub 0/), insulation thickness (R/sub th/), time (t), and initial temperature difference between cold and hot water (..delta..T/sub 0/). The experiments include the study of the thermocline behavior under both static and dynamic conditions. The experimental PHR and d for different cases are estimated, and emperical relationships are found between PHR, d, and different design parameters. The experimental results are compared with the theoretical results and the individual effects of flow rate, conduction and convection on thermocline deterioration are estimated.

• OSTI ID: 5663663
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
142000* -- Solar Energy-- Heat Storage-- (1980-)
25 ENERGY STORAGE
250600 -- Energy Storage-- Thermal
COMPUTER CODES
CONTAINERS
ENERGY TRANSFER
EQUIPMENT
HEAT TRANSFER
HOT WATER
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
STRATIFICATION
TANKS
TESTING
THERMAL CONDUCTION
THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE EQUIPMENT
WATER