Advanced Analysis of

Thermal Energy Storage Systems in CSP Plants

C.D. Pérez-Segarra, I. González, S. Torras, J. Rigola, A. Oliva
Heat and Mass Transfer Technological Centre, (CTTC) Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya (UPC-BarcelonaTech)

An efficient numerical simulation platform has been developed in order to test the thermo-mechanical performance of
different Thermal Energy Storage systems: two-tank and single-thermocline tank. A parallel object-oriented code solves and
couples all the components of the system by considering the heat transfer, fluid dynamics and thermoelastic phenomena
involved. Having proved its validity with experimental cases, CTTC-UPC has carried out valuable studies on TES focused on
the transient annual storage response, parametric analysis, optimal tank sizing, structural integrity, phase change materials,
multi-layered solid-PCM, etc.

Two-Tank Storage
Mathematical fomrulations and physical phenomena Thermo-fluid dynamics performance
Multi-physic nature of the system: 3D turbulent Transient evolution of the: (a)
currents of the molten salt, 3D conduction heat molten salt temperature in the
transfer (tank walls, insulation, foundation, etc.), hot tank for four different
thermal radiation inside the tanks and with the geographical locations; (b) total
external ambient, passive cooling in the foundation, heat losses in the molten salt for
mechanical and thermal stresses, unsteady behaviour, different insulation thickness.
gas ullage, etc. A modular object-oriented metho- (a) (b)
dology has been developed: STEScode.

Multi-scale phenomena: advanced CFD analysis using

LES turbulence models (see instantaneous streamlines
below).
Design aspects: thermal losses control; optimization of FDN 1 (NREL foundation) FDN 2 (Arlita foundation)
Comparison of two
the storage (cost reduction); how to scale up
different foundations
(FDN 1 and FDN 2)
located in Sevilla.

Temperature field (a) (a)

distribution in the
Reference study case Storage tank internal and radii,
12 m and 12.205 m, respectively. foundation after 7
months (a), and
Detailed analysis of the hot
Foundation thicknesses (FDN 1): after 43 months of
tank behaviour under the
dry sand, e1 = 0.006 m; foam- operation (starting
specific conditions given in the
glass, e2 = 0.420 m; heavy weight January 1st) (b) (b)
table.
concrete, e3 = 0.450 m; soil, e4 =
The cooling-down process of 9.140 m.
the hot (Tms= 565 ºC) and cold
(Tms=290 ºC) storage tanks is Foundation thicknesses (FDN 2):
also considered. dry sand, e1= 0.04 m; arlita, e2=
1.86 m; concrete, e= 0.450 m; dry Table: heat and cost Heat loss Foundation materials
sand, e= 0.30 m; reduction of FDN 2 Reduction cost reduction
soil, e= 7.35 m. respect to FDN 1 27.5 % 16.3 %

Multi-Layered Thermocline Storage

Mathematical & Numerical model Thermo-mechanical performance
Different thermocline storage concepts Plant configuration
Packed-bed 𝑊𝑊̇𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 = 50 MWe
Encapsulated phase change material (PCM) ∆𝑇𝑇 = 390 ºC – 290 ºC
Multi-layered solid-PCM 𝐴𝐴𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆 = 510,120 m2

Dynamic coupling of all system elements by means of a parallel object-

oriented code (NEST). Mass, momentum and energy balances are
solved and discretized with Finite Volume numerical method. A Features Pure thermocline Multi-layered solid-PCM
modular object-oriented methodology has been developed: LTEScode. Diameter x Height 43.7 m x 13 m 43.7 m x 13 m
Fluid and filler material Storage capacity 970 MWh / 6.9 h 1190 MWh / 8.6 h
 One-dimensionality in the fluid flow (axial direction) and in the heat Thermal efficiency 80.3 % 92.9 %
transfer inside particles (radial distribution).
Mass confined 38,020 ton rock 34,220 ton rock
 Heat conduction considering molecular diffusion and thermal
dispersion. 8,040 ton molten salt 8,700 ton molten salt
 Thermal losses through lateral walls and top and bottom surfaces. 0 ton PCM 1,720 ton PCM

Tank-wall stresses
 3D-thermoelastic model for the wall.
 Bulk solid active-passive pressures with particle settlement and
thermal expansion. Temperature maps during
Model validation an average discharge

Transient evolution of pure-

thermocline gradient
height

Transient evolution of pure-

thermocline equivalent
Numerical results (solid lines) vs. experimental Tank-wall hoop stresses during a day-cycle of stress at h = 7m
results from Pacheco et al. (points). Solar One Pilot Plant thermocline tank.

Conclusions References Acknowledgements

 Validated numerical simulation tools for the thermal, fluid dynamic and thermoelastic analysis of two of the most important TES systems: the [1] I.Rodríguez, C.D.Pérez-Segarra, O.Lehmkuhl, A.Oliva. Modular object-oriented methodology This work has been supported by the
two-tank system and the thermocline system. They have been developed and used for design and performance evaluation purposes. Parameters for the resolution of molten salt storage tanks for CSP plants. Applied Energy 2013; 109:402-414 Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad,
such as meteorological data, insulation, foundation, tank geometry or operating conditions can be modified, and variables like dynamic
temperature maps, thermal losses, energy exchanges, efficiencies, thermal stresses or structural safety factors can be measured. [2] P.A. Galione, C.D.Pérez-Segarra, I.Rodríguez, S.Torras, J.Rigola. Multi-layered solid-PCM Secretaría de Estado de Investigación,
thermocline thermal storage for CSP. Numerical evaluation of its application in a 50 MWe plant. Desarrollo e Innovación, Spain (ENE-2014-
 A new multi-layered solid-PCM thermocline-like thermal storage concept for CSP plants has been presented. It prevents the degradation of the
Solar Energy 2015; 119:134-150. 60577-R) and by the EIT through the KIC
thermocline occurring in the pure thermocline and leads to a higher efficiency in the use of the overall storage capacity.
 Suitable structural factors of safety, which assure structural integrity throughout the storage tank service life, can be achieved with a proper [3] I.González, C.D.Pérez-Segarra, O.Lehmkuhl, S.Torras, O.Oliva. Thermo-mechanical parametric InnoEnergy Tesconsol project (Ref.
design. analysis of packed-bed thermocline energy storage tanks. Applied Energy 2016; 179:1106-1122. 20_2011_IP16).