RESEARCH ON HEAT STORAGE MECHANISM OF POROUS MEDIUM SINGLE TANK THERMOCLINE BASED ON MOLTEN SALT HEAT EXCHANGE

Zhang Junfeng; Xiao Bin; Wang Liming; Xin Min; Zhu Jiahua

doi:10.19912/j.0254-0096.tynxb.2025-0804

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Acta Energiae Solaris Sinica ›› 2026, Vol. 47 ›› Issue (9) : 76-87. DOI: 10.19912/j.0254-0096.tynxb.2025-0804

RESEARCH ON HEAT STORAGE MECHANISM OF POROUS MEDIUM SINGLE TANK THERMOCLINE BASED ON MOLTEN SALT HEAT EXCHANGE

Zhang Junfeng¹, Xiao Bin¹, Wang Liming¹, Xin Min¹, Zhu Jiahua²

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Abstract

In this paper, a simulation model for a high-temperature packed-bed thermal energy storage system is constructed. Binary nitrate salt is used as the heat transfer fluid, and quartz stone and steel slag are adopted as porous filling materials respectively. The fluid simulation research is implemented on the thermocline stratification heat storage mechanism of single-tank molten salt systems with porous media. While keeping other conditions unchanged, the effects of varying physical properties of porous fillers on the heat storage performance are analyzed through simulations to optimize the system design. The influence laws of flow velocity in the porous region, porosity, particle diameter and the height-diameter ratio of the heat storage tank on system performance are obtained. The overall research results can provide data support and design references for thermal storage medium screening, packed-bed configuration design and tank size optimization of solar thermal power stations.

Key words

molten salt storage / packed-bed thermal storage / concentrated solar power （CSP） / thermocline / porous medium

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Zhang Junfeng, Xiao Bin, Wang Liming, Xin Min, Zhu Jiahua. RESEARCH ON HEAT STORAGE MECHANISM OF POROUS MEDIUM SINGLE TANK THERMOCLINE BASED ON MOLTEN SALT HEAT EXCHANGE[J]. Acta Energiae Solaris Sinica. 2026, 47(9): 76-87 https://doi.org/10.19912/j.0254-0096.tynxb.2025-0804

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