Structure and Operation Optimization of a Form-Stable Carbonate/Ceramic-Based Electric Thermal Storage Device for Space Heating
The escalating demand for heating and the widespread use of CO<sub>2</sub>-emitting fossil fuels during cold seasons have imposed significant pressure on our natural resources. As a promising alternative to coal-fired boilers, electrical thermal storage devices (ETSDs) for space heating...
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MDPI AG
2023-06-01
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| Series: | Energies |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/16/11/4506 |
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| author | Xinyu Pan Mengdi Yuan Guizhi Xu Xiao Hu Zhirong Liao Chao Xu |
| author_facet | Xinyu Pan Mengdi Yuan Guizhi Xu Xiao Hu Zhirong Liao Chao Xu |
| author_sort | Xinyu Pan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The escalating demand for heating and the widespread use of CO<sub>2</sub>-emitting fossil fuels during cold seasons have imposed significant pressure on our natural resources. As a promising alternative to coal-fired boilers, electrical thermal storage devices (ETSDs) for space heating are gaining popularity. However, designing ETSDs for space heating involves significant challenges, which involve their storage rate and operational stability. In contrast to the research of directly developing mid-temperature ETSDs to manage heat release during long heating hours, this study proposed a new ETSD that uses K<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub>–Na<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub> for high-temperature storage to match the off-peak hours and thereby gain potential economic benefits. This study used experimental and simulation methods to investigate the ETSD’s temperature distribution. An operational strategy was also proposed to achieve more efficient temperature distribution and higher economic benefits. The ETSD with two steel plates and two insulation layers with a power rating of 1.6 kW was found to be the optimum structure, due to its improved heat storage rate (2.1 °C/min), uniform temperature, and material heat resistance (<750 °C). An energy analysis, economic analysis, and a 7-day cycling operation performance of the device were then conducted by comparing the proposed ETSD with a traditional electric heater. The results revealed that the proposed ETSD released 53.4% of the stored energy in the room, and stored 48.6% of it during valley electric time. The total cost of the proposed ETSD was consistently lower than the traditional electric heater in the second heating season (by the 213th day). The efficiency of its valley heat storage for users was 37.2%. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the development and practical applications of ETSD systems for space heating. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T03:07:25Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-37aac7cd4dff4755816befd6c11bdc81 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1996-1073 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T03:07:25Z |
| publishDate | 2023-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Energies |
| spelling | doaj.art-37aac7cd4dff4755816befd6c11bdc812023-11-18T07:49:44ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732023-06-011611450610.3390/en16114506Structure and Operation Optimization of a Form-Stable Carbonate/Ceramic-Based Electric Thermal Storage Device for Space HeatingXinyu Pan0Mengdi Yuan1Guizhi Xu2Xiao Hu3Zhirong Liao4Chao Xu5Key Laboratory of Power Station Energy Transfer Conversion and System of MOE, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, ChinaKey Laboratory of Power Station Energy Transfer Conversion and System of MOE, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Advanced Power Transmission Technology, Global Energy Interconnection Research, Institute Co., Ltd., Changping District, Beijing 102211, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Advanced Power Transmission Technology, Global Energy Interconnection Research, Institute Co., Ltd., Changping District, Beijing 102211, ChinaKey Laboratory of Power Station Energy Transfer Conversion and System of MOE, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, ChinaKey Laboratory of Power Station Energy Transfer Conversion and System of MOE, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, ChinaThe escalating demand for heating and the widespread use of CO<sub>2</sub>-emitting fossil fuels during cold seasons have imposed significant pressure on our natural resources. As a promising alternative to coal-fired boilers, electrical thermal storage devices (ETSDs) for space heating are gaining popularity. However, designing ETSDs for space heating involves significant challenges, which involve their storage rate and operational stability. In contrast to the research of directly developing mid-temperature ETSDs to manage heat release during long heating hours, this study proposed a new ETSD that uses K<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub>–Na<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub> for high-temperature storage to match the off-peak hours and thereby gain potential economic benefits. This study used experimental and simulation methods to investigate the ETSD’s temperature distribution. An operational strategy was also proposed to achieve more efficient temperature distribution and higher economic benefits. The ETSD with two steel plates and two insulation layers with a power rating of 1.6 kW was found to be the optimum structure, due to its improved heat storage rate (2.1 °C/min), uniform temperature, and material heat resistance (<750 °C). An energy analysis, economic analysis, and a 7-day cycling operation performance of the device were then conducted by comparing the proposed ETSD with a traditional electric heater. The results revealed that the proposed ETSD released 53.4% of the stored energy in the room, and stored 48.6% of it during valley electric time. The total cost of the proposed ETSD was consistently lower than the traditional electric heater in the second heating season (by the 213th day). The efficiency of its valley heat storage for users was 37.2%. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the development and practical applications of ETSD systems for space heating.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/16/11/4506electrical thermal storage devicetemperature distributionoperation strategyspace heating |
| spellingShingle | Xinyu Pan Mengdi Yuan Guizhi Xu Xiao Hu Zhirong Liao Chao Xu Structure and Operation Optimization of a Form-Stable Carbonate/Ceramic-Based Electric Thermal Storage Device for Space Heating Energies electrical thermal storage device temperature distribution operation strategy space heating |
| title | Structure and Operation Optimization of a Form-Stable Carbonate/Ceramic-Based Electric Thermal Storage Device for Space Heating |
| title_full | Structure and Operation Optimization of a Form-Stable Carbonate/Ceramic-Based Electric Thermal Storage Device for Space Heating |
| title_fullStr | Structure and Operation Optimization of a Form-Stable Carbonate/Ceramic-Based Electric Thermal Storage Device for Space Heating |
| title_full_unstemmed | Structure and Operation Optimization of a Form-Stable Carbonate/Ceramic-Based Electric Thermal Storage Device for Space Heating |
| title_short | Structure and Operation Optimization of a Form-Stable Carbonate/Ceramic-Based Electric Thermal Storage Device for Space Heating |
| title_sort | structure and operation optimization of a form stable carbonate ceramic based electric thermal storage device for space heating |
| topic | electrical thermal storage device temperature distribution operation strategy space heating |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/16/11/4506 |
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