Thermal field in a water body for solar energy storage and extraction due to a buoyant two-dimensional surface water jet

Y. Jaluria, B. T. O'Mara

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

An experimental study on the thermal field arising in an enclosed water body being employed for energy storage, as sensible heat, due to a horizontally discharged, heated, water jet is carried out. Two-dimenional surface discharges are considered, with an outflow located at the far end of a water body, which is simulated in the laboratory by a tank of rectangular cross section. Energy loss occurs at the sides and at the top of the water body largely by convective transport and at the bottom by conduction to the ground. The study initially considers the transient behavior of the water body due to the input of thermal energy. A rapid transient, followed by a very gradual variation to an essentially steady-state temperature distribution, is observed. Experimental results are obtained in this steady regime for a water body of large extent, simulated by allowing a gradual outflow far from the inflow. The effects of the inflow conditions, aspect ration, and the position of the outflow on the resulting thermal stratification are then studied in detail. Several interesting trends are observed and related to the basic mechanisms that arise in such energy storage systems. These flows are of interest in the storage and the extraction of energy, as sensible heat, in systems such as salt-gradient solar ponds. The thermal field is important in the design of such storage systems, particularly with respect to the selection of inlet conditions and the location of the outflow.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)129-138
Number of pages10
JournalSolar Energy
Volume43
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 1989

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
  • Materials Science(all)

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