Valeria Palomba

Adsorption Heat Storage: State of the Art and Future Perspectives

Thermal energy storage (TES) is a key technology to enhance the efficiency of energy systems as well as to increase the share of renewable energies. In this context, the present paper reports a literature review of the recent advancement in the field of adsorption TES systems. After an initial introduction concerning different heat storage technologies, the working principle of the adsorption TES is explained and compared to other technologies. Subsequently, promising features and critical issues at a material, component and system level are deeply analyzed and the ongoing activities to make this technology ready for marketing are introduced.

Definition of Performance Indicators for Thermal Energy Storage

With the aim of standardizing the evaluation of thermal storage systems/tanks, this chapter assesses and compares the different performance indicators that can be found in the literature and tries to recommend those which enable a better comparison.

Experimental Characterization of Sorption Thermal Energy Storage Systems

In the present chapter, the experimental methods employed for the characterisation of sorption TES are discussed. The investigated systems comprise liquid and solid sorption technologies, both for closed and open systems. In particular, the proposed procedure for the closed sorption TES systems is described in details and an example on a lab-scale adsorption TES is reported. Finally, also experimental methodologies applied for components testing, namely, kinetic testing of small-scale adsorbers and characterisation of evaporators, are introduced.

Experimental Characterization of Latent Thermal Energy Storage Systems

In the present chapter, the experimental methods employed for the characterisation of latent TES are discussed. The investigated systems comprise both static and dynamic PCM storage concepts. In particular, experimental approaches applied by different laboratories are discussed in details and examples are provided to confirm the reliability of the proposed methods.

Sorption Thermal Energy Storage

In the present chapter, an introduction about the concept of sorption TES technology is reported. The closed and open configurations are discussed and an overview on the ongoing research and development activities for materials, components and systems is given.

Latent Thermal Storage for Solar Cooling Applications: Materials Characterization and Numerical Optimization of Finned Storage Configurations

ABSTRACT The present paper presents the development of a thermal energy storage system for application with non-concentrating solar plants using phase change materials (PCMs). The outcomes of an experimental analysis on commercial PCMs and laboratory-grade chemical compounds suitable for latent heat storages in a temperature range of 80–100°C is presented, with main focus on to the enthalpy and the cycle stability of the materials. Particularly, a first evaluation of possible degradation mechanisms in hydrated salts was investigated by means of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The best performing materials have been implemented in a numerical model, based on the enthalpy method, used for the design of a thermal storage system. The configuration of the system, starting from a simple shell-and-tube layout, has been optimized by inserting asymmetric fin-and-tubes and the results with two selected materials have been compared. The analysis has shown that the most promising materials are the commercial ones belonging to the classes of paraffinic materials and hydrated salts and that, with the designed configuration, it is possible to store up to 200 kJ/m3 and get a peak power during discharge of about 1.5 kW.