Jonathan D. West

Modeling partial charging and discharging of area-constrained ice storage tanks

Although several models have been developed and validated for predicting the performance of indirect, area-constrained, ice-on-pipe storage tanks, none have fully considered operation involving partial charging or discharging. In this case, multiple layers of ice and water may coexist around the heat exchanger tubes. This paper presents two models for predicting the behavior of tanks with partial charging and discharging processes. One model is based upon physical principles and is useful for studying design and control issues through simulation. The second model involves the use of an empirical correlation and is useful for simulating an existing design or could be appropriate for on-line control. Both models were validated using experimental results for a range of charging and discharging scenarios.