THERMODYNAMIC OPTIMIZATION OF THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM COMPOSED OF CASCADED PHASE CHANGE MATERIALS

Abstract

In The present work, a proposed thermal storage system composed of cascaded phase change materials is optimized to be a part of waste heat recovery system. The thermal energy storage allows efficient use of waste heat to power organic rankine cycle to generate electrical power. Mathematical model was developed and coded in MATLAB software. The code is used to optimize the thermal and heat transfer parameter of the storage system. In addition, the code is used to carry out a parametric study. This optimization process took place to maximize the system second law efficiency by manipulating the melting points of the cascaded phase change materials. The study has also determined the effect of heat transfer fluid, organic rankine cycle working fluid inlet temperatures and number of heat transfer units’ values in both charging and discharging directions on the system maximum second law efficiency.