ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to summarize "state-of-the-art'" thermal design principles that can be used in the design sizing and performance determination of phase-change material (PCM) thermal-storage units. The sizing of a thermal-storage unit requires consideration of the amount and type of storage material to provide a given quantity of thermal energy, the selection of insulation to meet performance criteria, the proportioning of storage mass to collector area for solar applications, and economic factors. The storage of energy is distributed, since the flow through the bed and the resulting heat transfer produces a stratified or distributed temperature profile. The PCM beds chosen for the parametric study are chosen to demonstrate the effects of some of the important parameters that influence the thermal and hydraulic performance of the bed. It is important to develop some improved understanding of the more detailed performance of PCM beds, including information on thermal stratification, energy storage, pressure drop, pumping power, and pumping energy.
