Energy Storage Characteristics In Fixed Beds (Charging, Storing, Discharging)

In the present work, the numerical model was refined to predict the thermal analysis of energy storage in a fixed beds during (charging ,storing, discharging) mode. The governing energy equations of both fluid and the solid particles along with their initial and boundary conditions are derived using a two-phase, one dimensional model. The refined model is carried out by taking into account change of (air density , air specific heat) with air temperature and also by taking into considerations heat losses from bed to surrounding. Finite difference method was used to obtain solution of two governing energy equations of both fluid and solid particles through a computer program especially constructed for this purpose. The temperature field for the air and the solid are obtained, also efficiency of energy stored inside the bed is computed. Finally using refined model the effect of air flow rate per unit area Ga (0.2, 0.3, and 0.4 kg/$m^2$-s), and inlet air temperature (200, 250, 300 $^{\circ}C$) on energy storage characteristics was studied in three mode ( charging ,storing, discharging). The rock particles of diameter 1 em is used as bed material in this research.