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Investigation of hybrid sensible-latent packed bed thermal energy storage system
Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi 127788, United Arab Emirates.ORCID iD: 0000-0002-5188-4403
KTH, School of Industrial Engineering and Management (ITM), Energy Technology, Applied Thermodynamics and Refrigeration.ORCID iD: 0000-0002-1806-9749
KTH, School of Industrial Engineering and Management (ITM), Energy Technology, Heat and Power Technology.ORCID iD: 0000-0001-6982-2879
Institute for Thermal Energy Technology and Safety (ITES), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany.ORCID iD: 0000-0003-0828-7299
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2025 (English)In: Applied Thermal Engineering, ISSN 1359-4311, E-ISSN 1873-5606, Vol. 279, article id 127375Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Reliable and cost-effective energy storage is essential to accelerate the adoption of renewable energy systems such as concentrated solar power (CSP) technologies. Single-tank Packed Bed Thermal Energy Storage (PBTES) offers a promising, lower-cost alternative to traditional two-tank systems for high-temperature storage. This study explores a hybrid sensible-latent PBTES system that integrates two types of Phase Change Materials (PCMs), strategically placed at opposite ends of a sensible-based PBTES, to enhance performance in terms of storage density and outlet fluid temperature stability. This is the first study to systematically evaluate metallic PCMs in multi-layered hybrid PBTES. A comprehensive numerical investigation, spanning PCM volume fractions from 0 to 30 % for each PCM, is conducted using a validated concentric dispersion model. The results show that PCM integration significantly boosts storage capacity, improves thermal stability, extends temperature plateaus during charging and discharging cycles and increases the energy density by up to 250 %. These hybrid configurations also extend the useful operation time by up to 220 % during charging and 300 % during discharging cycles with up to 250 % of useful energy capacity increase. Economic analysis showed a payback period of 4.8–5.5 years, with reductions in PCM layer at the top of the TES unit and encapsulation fabrication costs providing the most significant improvements in overall cost. While the hybrid system enhances temperature stability and energy utilization, it introduces trade-offs in terms of cost and efficiency, underscoring the importance of optimized PCM selection and its operating conditions. This work demonstrates the transformative potential of hybrid PBTES systems in delivering efficient, stable, and tailored energy storage solutions for future energy systems.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Elsevier BV , 2025. Vol. 279, article id 127375
Keywords [en]
Thermal energy storage, Packed bed, Thermocline Hybrid storage, Sensible storage, Metallic phase change materials
National Category
Energy Engineering
Research subject
Energy Technology
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-369343DOI: 10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2025.127375ISI: 001533622700009Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-105010567583OAI: oai:DiVA.org:kth-369343DiVA, id: diva2:1994397
Funder
EU, Horizon 2020, 101036910
Note

QC 20250910

Available from: 2025-09-02 Created: 2025-09-02 Last updated: 2025-10-21Bibliographically approved

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Gunasekara, Saman NimaliChiu, Justin NingWei

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Alemam, AsemGunasekara, Saman NimaliChiu, Justin NingWeiNiedermeier, KlarissaAfgan, Imran
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CiteExportLink to record
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Citation style
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