Lithium, mainly used in electrical energy storage, has also been studied in thermal energy storage. It is recognized as a “critical material” and is produced from minerals and from brines. Chile is one of the biggest producers, here from brine and with lower costs than in other countries....

The thermal energy storage characteristics of Cu–H2O nanofluids as a new PCM (phase change material) for cooling systems was investigated. The influence of the nanoparticle agent on supercooling of water PCMs was experimentally studied. The temperature distribution and the ice shape of the...

Dual-media molten-salt thermocline thermal energy storage (TES) systems can be used to maintain constant power production at Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) plants independent of weather changes at costs less than that of traditional two-tank molten-salt storage systems. The flow distribution is...

Thermocline storage concept has been considered for more than a decade as a possible solution to reduce the huge cost of the storage system in concentrated solar power (CSP) plants. However, one of the drawbacks of this concept is the decrease in its performance throughout the time. The...

The effect of an internal air void on the heat transfer phenomenon within encapsulated phase change material (EPCM) is examined. Heat transfer simulations are conducted on a two dimensional cylindrical capsule using sodium nitrate as the high temperature phase change material (PCM). The effects...

The trend toward high envelope R-value for building energy efficiency made sense because at the starting point when the trend began in 1980s and 1990s buildings were poorly insulated. The advantage of high performance envelope was based on the consideration of envelope heat transfer and building...

This paper compares the performance of medium size CSP (Concentrating Solar Power) plants based on an ORC (Organic Rankine Cycle) power generation unit and using linear Fresnel collectors, thermal oil as heat transfer fluid and two-tank direct and thermocline energy storage systems. The...

This work focuses on the preparation of AC (activated carbon) through a physical activation method using peat soil as a precursor, followed by the use of the AC as an inorganic framework for the preparation of SPCM (shape-stabilized phase change material). The SPCM, composed of n-octadecane as...

A review of analytical, numerical and experimental investigations of melting and ensuing convection of phase change materials within enclosures with different shapes commonly used for thermal energy storage is presented. The common shapes of the containers being rectangular cavities, spherical...

Thermal energy storage is a necessary technology for the application of renewable energy and low-grade thermal energy. Chemical heat storage has been proved to be a feasible and promising method to store thermal energy. As compared to other thermal energy storage methods, chemical heat storage...