A master programme thesis from Aalborg University
Numerical Modelling and Performance Analysis of a Packed Bed Electric Thermal Energy Storage System Integrated with a Rankine Cycle
Author(s)
Term
4. term
Education
Publication year
2025
Submitted on
2025-05-28
Pages
69 pages
Abstract
The transition towards renewable energy sources necessitates efficient energy storage so- lutions to balance supply and demand fluctua- tions. This thesis presents a numerical model- ing and performance analysis of a packed bed thermal energy storage (PBTES) system inte- grated with a Rankine cycle. The study de- velops a one-dimensional, transient numerical model to simulate temperature evolution and heat transfer during charging and discharging cycles. The model is validated against existing reference data from a PBTES facility, demon- strating its reliability in predicting system be- havior. A parametric sensitivity analysis is con- ducted exploring the effects of particle size, mass flow rate, and void fraction on temper- ature distribution and pressure loss. To evalu- ate system performance during discharge, both single-pressure and Dual- Pressure (DP) Rank- ine cycles are integrated with a Heat Recovery Steam Generator, and metrics such as thermal efficiency, power output, and round-trip effi- ciency are assessed. The integration of a DP Rankine cycle improves heat recovery while maintaining a thermal efficiency of approxi- mately 36%. In conclusion, this thesis demon- strates the viability of a packed bed thermal en- ergy storage system integrated with a Rankine cycle for flexible, grid-scale energy storage
Documents
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