f solar radiation i edictable naturc 0 eur The ii tent, variable and unpr | #0 The intermit match between the rate and time of collection of solar energy any leads to a mis! tion. As a result it is often necessary to use » eds of a thermal applica ; a ee aia in between. The storage system stores energy when the collected rai is in excess of the requirement of the application and discharges energy when the collected amount is inadequate. The size ota storage Sygien, is largely determined by the specific purpose for which it is used. Three situations are shown in Fig. 7.1 = In Fig. 7.1 (a), the time interval during the day over which the cnergy is required is essentially the same as the time of collection. However, a storage system is needed because there is some mismatch between the amount of energy required and the amount collected at any instant. The storage system in sucha silualion has to store energy only for short intcrvals of time and is relatively small in size. It is called a ‘buffer storage’. In Fig. 7.1 (b), the load demand shown extends over all 24 hours, whereas the collection takes place only during the sunshine hours. As a result, a system larger than a buffer storage having the capacity to store energy for a day or two is required. Such a system is called ‘diumal storage’. I'igures 7.1(a) and (b) are both ‘short-term’ storage syst@* In contrast, Fig. 7.1 (c) illustrates a situation in which the storage system st" fee ermudter Wied the collection is in excess of the demancs A large HiSab teri ea ee when the collection is less than i ire 'ystem is required for such a situation, since ©Storage system Fw Jload collected sefremieemet Gur Toad AT, Day Fig. 7-1 Different situations for using a thermal energy storage (a) Buffer storage, (0) Diurnal storage, (¢) Annual storage sic methods for storing thermal energy. 1, Heating @ liquid or a solid which docs not change phase. This is called sensible heat storage. The amount of energy stored is dependent on the temperature change of the material and can be expressed in the form There are three bas T, E = m|C,dt (7.1.1) 5 whore m is ne yaaas and Cpthe apectfc heat: and Ty represent the lower and upper temperature levels between which the storage operates. the temperature swing. The difference (Ty — 71) is referred 10 as ee 2, Heating a material which-undergoes ¢ phase change (usually melting). This ‘The amount of eneigy stored in this pane 1. us, is called Jatent heat storage. depends upon the mass and th f fusion of the material ic latent heat (7.1.2) the storage operates hermal operation at erates over a range E =m where Ais the latent heat of fusion. In this case, qotismmally, at the melting point ofthe material. If isol phase chan| is difficult, ge temperature is > “ " 2 of temperatures 7 to T which jngludes the melting point, Then sensible heat contributions have to be considered the ne amount of enerBy SOF given byJee {fener a os {few aT i E=m h Etheson oH, : t the specific heats of the Solidandy. where C,,, and Cy Tepresent Dp ai "js the melting point. ; : : 3 ae heat to induce a certain chemical reaction and then, Storin, * si a . reverse reaction j, le els ine heats pclae Te inly isothermally aces fs oot ae ease Ne eranera area ate CERT Taree actions. y sane eatin occur are usually different. te, Of the above methods, sensible and latent heat storage systems are a while thermochemical storage systems are being proposed for Use jn med and high temperature applications. "Um The specific application for which a thermal Storage System is tg i determines the method to be adupted. Some of the considerations whic} eet mine the sclection of the method of storage and its design are as follows, 1. The temperature range over which the storage has to operate, 2. The capacity of the storage has a significant effect on the Operation ot test of the system, especially the collectors. A sinaller Storage unit oe ates at a higher mean temperature. This results in a reduced Collecta, output as compared to a system having a larger storage unit. 3. Heat losses from the storage have to be kept to a minimum. Heat losses arg of particular importance for ‘long-term’ storage. 4. Cost of the storage unit. Vhis includes the initial Cost of the storage medium, the containers and insulation, and the operating cost. ‘ Other considerations include the suitability of materials used for the Container, the means adopted for transferring the heat to and from the storage, and the power requirements for these purposes, The choice of the s the application, water ei bricks being used for temperatures arouw tems are ‘simpler in design than |; However, they suffer from the ubstance used largely depends on the ternperature level of being used for temperatures below 100°C and refractory ind 1000°C. Sensible heat storage SY ‘atent heat or thermochemical storage systems disadvantage of being bigger in size. For this