摘要:To address the issues of low thermal conductivity, leakage during melting, and the lack of active temperature regulation under low-temperature conditions in conventional phase change materials (PCMs), a novel graphene-carbonized sponge/paraffin (CF-rGO/PW) composite phase change material was developed. Its key thermophysical properties, including thermal conductivity and latent heat of phase change, were experimentally measured and analyzed. Based on these results, a three-dimensional coupled thermal model of a battery module incorporating the composite material was established. The simulated maximum battery temperature under different discharge rates agreed well with experimental results, with an error of less than 2%, verifying the reliability of the model. Using this model, the thermal management performance of the composite material was further investigated under constant-rate discharge, frequent charge-discharge, and thermal abuse triggering conditions. Results show that under 2 C and 3 C discharge conditions, the incorporation of the composite phase change material reduces the maximum cell temperature by approximately 5—15℃ and limits the maximum temperature difference to within 1.5℃. Under frequent charge-discharge conditions, the average transient temperature fluctuation amplitude decreases by about 23% compared with air cooling, and the reduction increases to 36% within the phase change temperature range. Under thermal abuse conditions, compared with the battery module without a barrier structure, the high-temperature region in the composite phase change material-battery module is confined to the triggered cell and its immediate neighbor. The peak temperature of the neighboring cell is delayed by about 300 s, and the rear cells exhibit only a slight temperature rise as well. These results demonstrate that the developed composite phase change material significantly enhances the thermal stability and safety of battery modules.
摘要:To address the flow blockage and segregation of sodium sulfate decahydrate based phase change material slurries, this study investigated the influence of different additives on their fluidity and stability through crystal morphology observation, static adsorption concentration measurement, and static sedimentation experiments. Comparative experiments identified the optimal amounts of surfactants and stabilizers, leading to the formulation of a modified Na2SO4·10H2O phase change material slurry containing 30% base salt, 4% sodium tetraborate decahydrate, 0.2% cetyltrimethylammonium chloride, and 0.1% polyacrylamide. Its thermodynamic properties, as well as flow and heat transfer characteristics, were then measured using T-history method and a hydraulic and heat transfer test rig. It was found that the Na2SO4·10H2O phase change material slurry exhibited an effective thermal energy storage density of 131.45 J/g over the temperature range of 27—32℃, which is 6.3 times that of water over the same temperature range. Furthermore, to support the application of the Na2SO4·10H2O phase change material slurry in engineering piping systems based on its flow and heat transfer characteristics, hydraulic and heat transfer correlations for the friction factor and average Nusselt number were developed, achieving high coefficients of determination (R² from 0.91 to 0.98) for laminar and turbulent flow regimes. The above findings are beneficial for the optimal development and practical deployment of salt hydrate phase change material slurries.
关键词:phase change material slurry;heat and cold storage;sodium sulphate decahydrate;hydraulic and heat transfer;property modification
摘要:To address the demand for the refined development of ultra-thin flexible phase change materials (PCMs) for diverse application scenarios in the energy storage field, this study aims to solve the inherent defects of large supercooling degree, phase separation, and easy leakage of sodium sulfate decahydrate (SSD)-based PCMs, and break through the process bottlenecks of high surface tension, poor spreadability, and easy pore formation in the preparation of ultra-thin hydrogels. This study fabricated sodium polyacrylate/calcium alginate/sodium sulfate decahydrate (PAAS/CA/SSD) double-network hydrogels via an in-situ sol-gel method. The formulation optimization, performance regulation, and key ultra-thin molding technologies of SSD hydrated salt hydrogel materials, which can be widely used in thermal energy storage and cooling fields, were systematically investigated. The results show that the PA-10 sample with a PAAS content of 10% exhibits the optimal comprehensive performance, with a phase change temperature of 31.88℃, phase change enthalpy of 119.7 J/g, decomposition temperature of 88.81℃, decomposition enthalpy of 913.5 J/g, tensile strength of 0.29 MPa in crystalline state, and elongation at break of 16%. Its thermal conductivity remains above 0.82 W/(m·K). The sample possesses both rigidity and flexibility without leakage, which meets the material performance requirements of energy storage devices. Through the synergistic regulation of 1% sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP) and 6% borax, the supercooling degree of SSD is reduced to nearly 0℃, which significantly improves the controllability of phase change and solves the core performance issue for the engineering application of the material. To tackle the molding difficulty of ultra-thin hydrated salts, DuPont FS-300 surfactant was introduced to regulate the surface tension, and the optimal dosage was experimentally determined as 1‰. The contact angle of the hydrogel on the silicone mold surface decreased from 111.1° to 42.2°, and ultra-thin hydrogels with a thickness of 1 mm, no pores, and uniform thickness were successfully prepared, breaking through the molding process bottleneck of ultra-thin phase change hydrogels. Performance tests demonstrate that the surfactant only slightly loosens the gel network; its mechanical properties are still superior to those of samples prepared by the traditional compression method, and the thermal properties are not significantly affected, with the phase change enthalpy and decomposition enthalpy basically stable. The phase change temperature and flexible characteristics of this ultra-thin SSD-based hydrated salt hydrogel material are suitable for energy storage scenarios such as human body thermal management, lithium-ion battery thermal management, and thermal runaway protection. It provides a new route for the lightweight and thinning development of inorganic hydrated salt medium-low temperature energy storage materials, and also offers experimental basis and technical support for the miniaturization and flexible design of energy storage devices as well as system operation optimization.
关键词:sodium sulfate decahydrate;hydrogel;Phase change material;surface tension regulation;thermal energy storage and cold storage
摘要:Calcium sulfate dihydrate (CaSO4·2H2O), the main component of phosphogypsum, exhibits significant potential for medium-temperature thermal energy storage because of its high heat storage density, low cost, and wide availability. Its reversible dehydration-hydration reaction enables efficient thermal energy storage and release, making it suitable for applications such as medium-temperature solar heat collection and industrial waste heat recovery. However, inherent limitations, including low thermal conductivity and severe agglomeration during cycling, restrict heat and mass transfer efficiency and long-term operational stability, thereby hindering engineering applications. To address these challenges, this study focuses on the preparation and performance optimization of thermochemical heat storage materials through synergistic modification using functional additives and a composite porous structure. High-purity CaSO4·2H2O powder was synthesized via a solution method. Subsequently, 3% expanded graphite was introduced as a thermal conductivity enhancer and 5% nano-silica (SiO2) as an agglomeration inhibitor, followed by ball milling to obtain a CaSO4·2H2O /3EG/5SiO2 heat storage matrix. A porous composite thermochemical heat storage material was then fabricated by vacuum impregnation of the matrix into porous copper foam. The microstructure, crystal structure, chemical compatibility, thermal performance, and cyclic stability were systematically characterized using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and a laser thermal conductivity tester. The results show that the incorporation of expanded graphite increases the thermal conductivity of CaSO4·2H2O from 0.577 W/(m·K) to 0.797 W/(m·K), corresponding to an improvement of 27.6%. Nano-SiO2 effectively suppresses particle agglomeration after cycling by enhancing particle dispersion and inhibiting grain boundary migration. The porous structure and high thermal conductivity of copper foam further improve heat and mass transfer pathways, resulting in a thermal conductivity of 1.509 W/(m·K), which is 161.5% higher than that of pure CaSO4·2H2O. The composite material exhibits a reaction enthalpy of 359 J/g, a packaging efficiency of 70.4%, and an operating temperature range of 120—160℃, which is well matched with medium-temperature solar thermal systems. After 80 hydration-dehydration cycles, the heat storage density remains at 92.3%, with no significant changes in crystal structure or chemical compatibility, demonstrating excellent cyclic stability. Through the synergistic design of porous support and functional modification, this study effectively addresses the key challenges of low thermal conductivity and agglomeration in hydrated salt thermochemical heat storage systems, providing a practical strategy for performance enhancement and high-value utilization of phosphogypsum resources.
摘要:The development and utilization of solar energy, a clean resource, is regarded as a crucial approach to alleviate the global energy crisis and environmental pressure. However, traditional solar energy utilization systems still face multiple technical bottlenecks, such as the photoelectric conversion efficiency being affected by temperature, low comprehensive energy efficiency of the system, and the temporal and spatial mismatch between energy supply and demand. Therefore, this paper proposes an integrated temperature control and heat storage photovoltaic/thermal system combining multi-layer microchannels and shaped phase change materials. An experimental test platform was constructed to compare and analyze the thermoelectric performance of a conventional PV system, a PV-PCM hybrid system, and the novel integrated system proposed in this study. The effects of key parameters, including solar irradiance, working fluid flow rate, and PCM mass, on the operational characteristics of the system were emphatically investigated. The experimental results demonstrate that the integrated temperature control and heat storage PV/T system exhibits excellent comprehensive performance. At a solar irradiance of 1000 W/m2, the maximum operating temperature of the PV cells can be controlled within 55.3℃, and the electrical and thermal efficiencies of the system reach 12.8% and 24.7%, respectively. Compared with the conventional PV system and the PV-PCM hybrid system, the overall efficiency of the proposed system is increased by 29.2% and 46.2%, respectively, with a maximum value of 58.3%. Further analysis reveals that with the increase in solar irradiance, the electrical efficiency, thermal efficiency, and overall efficiency of the system show a downward trend, while the maximum output power continues to rise. In addition, increasing the working fluid flow rate in the microchannels and the loading mass of PCM can significantly reduce the operating temperature of the PV module and enhance the electrical and thermal efficiencies of the system. On the other hand, under non-solar irradiance conditions, the system can effectively delay the cooling and solidification process of the PCM. Compared with the traditional PV/T system, the thermal retention time of the heat storage unit is extended from 78 min to 154 min.
关键词:photovoltaic/thermal system;multi-layer microchannel;Phase change material;thermal energy storage;thermal management
摘要:This study experimentally investigates the heat release performance of a single-tank molten salt storage system that utilizes a straight-tube heat exchanger. The study analyzes temperature variation patterns during heat storage, heat release, and static cooling processes. The experiments reveal that when the fan operates at full power, the system achieves a maximum heat release power of 63.7 kW, an average heat release power of 46 kW, and an overall heat release efficiency of 88%, allowing it to heat cold water from 27℃ to 64.4℃. During the heat release phase, the temperature distribution of the molten salt is generally uniform. However, near the air inlet, the temperature drops more rapidly due to intense local heat exchange. In the 12 h static cooling phase, the molten salt temperature decreases linearly by a total of 36.8℃, with an average cooling power of 4.8 kW. Notably, significant vertical temperature stratification is observed, with a maximum temperature difference of 16.8℃. This study provides experimental evidence supporting the use of straight-tube heat exchangers in single-tank molten salt storage systems and offers valuable insights for regional heating and industrial heat storage engineering design.
关键词:molten salt thermal energy storage;Single-tank system;Heat discharge performance;Straight-tube heat exchanger;Static cooling
摘要:To enhance the renewable energy utilization and improve the recovery and reuse of industrial waste heat, this study proposes a high-temperature steam supply system utilizing pumped thermal energy storage (PTES) with wastewater heat recovery. The system adopts a high-temperature heat pump to extract low grade heat from wastewater during off-peak periods. It integrates a solid thermal storage unit to accumulate and release heat to achieve continuous high-temperature steam supply. A thermodynamic model of the PTES system was developed in Aspen Plus and MATLAB. The model comprises a compressor, an expander, heat exchangers, a steam generator, and a solid storage module for simulating the energy transfer. Using the model, the system performance under various operating conditions was assessed. The simulation results show that when the wastewater temperature is 60℃, the coefficients of performance (COP) for air, argon, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide are 1.519, 1.478, 1.523 and 1.327, respectively. For the solid thermal storage unit, a porosity of 0.35 and particle diameters between 0.03 and 0.05 m yield the optimal thermal efficiency and COP. A sensitivity analysis using air as the working fluid evaluated the influence of key parameters. The results show that higher wastewater temperatures and lower compressor outlet temperatures enhance system performance. When the waste heat temperature reaches 100℃ and the compressor outlet temperature 400℃, the system COP increases to 1.658. An equipment cost estimation shows that the compressor and the electric motor contribute the largest shares in the total cost, suggesting that compression and power conversion units should be the main targets of economic optimization. The results provide technical support and useful references for the feasibility assessment and engineering design of high-temperature PTES systems for industrial heating.
摘要:Seasonal solar water thermal energy storage systems can utilize the heat accumulated in summer during winter in regions with hot summers and cold winters. They can significantly reduce the high carbon emissions characterizing the traditional heating methods. However, they exhibit problems, such as difficult output temperature regulation and temperature drops in the middle and late stage of heating. To accommodate stable heating demand, a water-source heat pump (WSHP) should be added to achieve flexible temperature adjustment. This study adopts a large, three-story building located in Wuhan as a case study and designs a multi-source heating system that combines photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) collectors, a seasonal water thermal energy storage and a WSHP. A whole-year dynamic simulation model is established for an in-depth, comprehensive investigation of the system performance considering three aspects: the energy efficiency, economy, and heating stability. The proposed system is also compared with a single PV/T seasonal water thermal energy storage heating system and a PV/T system with an electric boiler. The results show that the PV/T system with a WSHP has the best overall performance. Its annual average seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SSER) is 7.537, the life cycle cost (LCC) is 1.4283 million yuan and the root mean-square error of the heating inlet water temperature is 1.321. Furthermore, the Hooke-Jeeves algorithm is used to optimize the area and tilt angle of PV/T collectors, the volume of the hot water storage tank and the rated heating capacity of the heat pump. After optimization, the system SSER increases by 4.59%, while the LCC is reduced by 8.89%, indicating significant improvements. This research provides a theoretical basis and practical guidance for the engineering design and optimization of seasonal solar thermal energy storage heating systems for large buildings located in hot-summer and cold-winter regions.
关键词:seasonal thermal energy storage;PV/T system;water source heat pump;TRNSYS;parameter optimization
摘要:To enhance the energy flexibility of building air conditioning systems and meet distinct seasonal energy supply demands, this study proposes a novel open-type non-pressurized shell-and-tube phase-change energy storage tank, which allows convenient replacement of phase change material, and integrates it into a conventional air-source heat pump system. The thermal performance and energy regulation capacity of the integrated system under two operating modes were systematically investigated through combined experimental and numerical approaches. Results show that during winter operation, by adjusting the fan-coil unit set temperature (20—24℃) and fan speed (850—1430 m3/h), the heat release duration of the phase-change energy storage tank could be regulated from 48 min to 90 min, representing an increase of up to 87.5%, while the system's electricity consumption reduction reached 89.2%—95.3%. Summer experiments verified the feasibility and operational stability of the cooling release mode. Simulations indicated that a fully charged tank could sustain continuous cooling for approximately 155 min. Furthermore, simulation-based optimization suggested that the full heat storage time could be shortened by about 57% compared to the experimental conditions. Through structural innovation and operational mode design, this work significantly improves the energy regulation capability of air-source heat pump systems under both heating and cooling conditions, offering a technical reference for the application of phase-change energy storage in building air conditioning.
关键词:Air source heat pumps;Energy consumption characteristics;Dual-mode operation;phase change energy storage
摘要:This study aims to improve the peak-shaving capabilities of power systems with a high proportion of renewable energy by exploring the flexible retrofitting of thermal power units. We develop a model for the electricity-to-heat conversion process in a Carnot battery integrated with a heat pump and electric heating. The thermodynamic performance of the system is analyzed under various coupling configurations. A steady-state thermodynamic model utilizing an air working fluid reverse Brayton cycle is constructed using Aspen HYSYS. We systematically evaluate the operating characteristics and performance differences of two coupling types: series and parallel. In the series configuration, we examine three arrangements of the electric heater: before the compressor, after the compressor, and after the heat exchanger. Results show that in the system without recuperation, optimal performance is achieved when the electric heater is positioned after the compressor, yielding a maximum coefficient of performance (COP) of 2.065. In the recuperated system, the best configuration is with the electric heater positioned after the molten salt heat exchanger, which yields a maximum COP of 1.292. In addition, we develop two parallel system models: a dual heat pump parallel system and a heat pump-electric heater parallel system. The results reveal that the dual heat pump system provides higher heat output under rated load conditions, whereas the heat pump-electric heater parallel system shows a more significant increase in energy efficiency under part-load conditions, with the COP increasing from 1.182 to 1.230 as input power decreases, thus demonstrating excellent operational flexibility. Our comprehensive analysis shows that the coupling configuration between electric heating and the heat pump significantly affects energy-grade matching and system efficiency. More specifically, tight coupling enhances synergistic performance, whereas decoupled designs promote stable and efficient operation in complex systems. This study elucidates the key mechanisms and optimization pathways for heat pump-electric heating synergy, offering theoretical support for the flexible retrofitting of thermal power units and the engineering application of Carnot battery energy storage systems.
摘要:In response to the diverse thermal demands of motor vehicles, particularly hybrid electric vehicles, this study proposes and experimentally validates an advanced thermal management system that couples thermally driven adsorption refrigeration with phase change cold storage. The system utilizes waste heat from engine exhaust as the driving heat source, leveraging reversible adsorption-desorption reactions between a metal halide composite adsorbent, such as strontium chloride/manganese chloride, and an ammonia working pair to realize thermally driven cooling. This process is integrated with phase change cold storage materials to enable the storage and regulated release of cooling energy. At the same time, the adsorption process generates stable and controllable thermal output, thereby effectively converting exhaust waste heat into flexible cooling and heating capabilities and reducing the energy consumption of vehicle thermal management. Simulation and experimental results indicate that, in the absence of phase change materials, the cooling power becomes highly unstable, whereas the total cooling capacity increases with increasing heating temperature and flow rate. Under summer conditions with an ambient temperature of 37℃, the system supplies cooling energy at 15—20℃ with an average power of 1.37 kW. The phase change material provides a cold storage energy density of 247 kJ/kg and a power density of 47.2 kW/m3, with a system coefficient of performance of 0.234. Under winter conditions ranging from -30℃ to 5℃, the system delivers heating at temperatures of up to 60℃ with an average power of 1.69 kW. The adsorbent exhibits a thermal energy storage density of 744.6 kJ/kg and a power density of 60.4 kW/m3, supplying heat for engine cold starts and Warm-up and cabin temperature regulation. This work provides a potential technical pathway for improving all-climate adaptability and overall energy utilization efficiency in motor vehicles.
摘要:Ensuring the safe and stable operation of lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles across a wide temperature range of -30℃ to 40℃ requires highly efficient battery thermal management systems (BTMS) capable of precise temperature regulation. Such systems mitigate capacity degradation at low temperatures and reduce the risk of thermal runaway at high temperatures. Microencapsulated phase change material slurry (MPCMS) has emerged as a promising working fluid for BTMS applications. While prior studies have primarily focused on low-concentration MPCMS, this study investigates a comprehensive all-climate BTMS employing MPCMS at high mass fractions (5%—30%). The thermal management performance of the system was systematically evaluated under three representative operating scenarios: thermal insulation and storage at low temperatures, cold storage and heat absorption at moderate temperatures, and heat dissipation and cooling at high temperatures. Electrically heated rods were used to simulate battery thermal loads. Experimental results indicate that, under low-temperature conditions (-30℃), the inclusion of 5%, 15%, and 30% MPCMS, in synergy with an insulation layer, extended thermal preservation time by 12.4%, 24.9%, and 34.1%, respectively, compared to a system without MPCMS. At moderate ambient temperature (23℃, below the phase-change point of the microcapsules), MPCMS effectively absorbs heat generated during battery discharge. Under 1 C, 2 C, and 3 C discharge rates, the maximum temperature reductions achieved were 2.6℃, 4.7℃, and 5.2℃, respectively, relative to the system without MPCMS. Notably, the 15% MPCMS formulation exhibited an optimal balance between latent heat absorption capacity and convective heat transfer performance. Under high-temperature conditions (40℃), even when the heating rod simulated a 3 C discharge thermal load, the system with 30% MPCMS maintained the battery temperature below 40℃ by sustaining a 10℃ temperature difference between the cooling water inlet and the ambient environment. These findings highlight the significant potential of high-concentration MPCMS as an effective thermal management medium for lithium-ion batteries, enabling reliable thermal regulation across diverse and challenging climatic conditions.
关键词:Battery thermal management;All-weather temperature;Phase-change microcapsule suspension;heat preservation;heat transfer
摘要:Phase change material (PCM) cooling is a widely used method for managing battery thermal conditions, where the temperature uniformity across battery modules can be maintained while ensuring system safety. However, due to the inherent differences in structural and thermal properties between the positive and negative electrodes of lithium-ion batteries, significant temperature disparities often arise at either end. Solely relying on PCM cooling proves challenging in effectively mitigating these localized thermal risks. This study proposes a hybrid thermal management strategy that combines PCM cooling with air-jet forced cooling. Specifically, enhanced air-jet cooling is applied to the positive electrode side, with the entire module being encapsulated in paraffin. By varying the arrangement of the jet array and the air mass flow rate, this study systematically analyzes their effects on the battery's temperature during vehicle energy consumption and driving range tests. The results show that under controlled air mass flow conditions, after one New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) test cycle is completed, the minimum temperature recorded was 290.51 K with a 4 × 4 jet array, compared to 293.34 K with a 2 × 2 array, which is 2.83 K higher. In addition, modifying the structural parameters of the jet cooling system resulted in a significant decrease in the average temperature of the battery module. For example, when a 2 × 2 jet array was used, increasing the jet orifice diameter from 1 to 3 mm reduced the average temperature by 2.06 K. Similarly, with a 3 × 3 jet array, the same increase in orifice diameter led to a larger reduction of 2.96 K. When the configuration was upgraded to a 4 × 4 array, the average temperature dropped by 3.01 K, indicating the most significant enhancement in cooling performance.
摘要:Both excessively high and low temperatures in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) can lead to performance degradation and safety hazards. Flexible phase change materials (PCMs) offer high heat storage density and good shape adaptability, which can help maintain the temperature stability of LIBs. However, existing flexible PCMs typically exhibit high absorptivity, making it difficult to meet the demands of year-round thermal management for outdoor batteries. Hence, this study developed a radiative cooling PCM (PW/SEBS/ZnO) based on a melt blending method, which was self-bonded with a conventional flexible PCM (PW/SEBS/EG) to form a flexible dual-mode PCM. The dual-mode PCM has a high reflectance of 0.86 on the radiative cooling (RC) side, a high absorptance of 0.92 on the photothermal conversion (PC) side, a high enthalpy of 172.5 J/g, and a leakage ratio of less than 0.85%. More importantly, the cost of the dual-mode PCM is as low as 21.2 CNY/kg. Further, comparative experiments were conducted covering the dual-mode PCM, flexible PCM, and blank batteries. Under summer conditions, the maximum temperature of the battery covered with the dual-mode PCM was 10.1℃/11.0℃ lower than that of the blank group during charge/discharge processes, whereas batteries covered with the flexible PCM exhibited maximum temperature increases of 6.1℃/4.2℃. Correspondingly, compared to the blank group, the charge/discharge capacity of the battery covered with the dual-mode PCM was improved by 3.9%/3.5%, while the charge/discharge capacity of the battery covered with the flexible PCM was reduced by 2.0%/3.2%. Under winter conditions, the battery temperature and performance of the dual-mode PCM and the flexible PCM were similar. Moreover, the average temperature of the battery covered with the dual-mode PCM was 8.4℃/7.2℃ higher than that of the blank group, and the corresponding charge/discharge capacity was 19.5%/15.8% higher than that of the blank group. The dual-mode PCM provides an effective solution for the year-round thermal management of outdoor batteries.
摘要:With the continuous optimization of the energy supply structure, energy storage technologies have become a major research focus. Direct fixed-bed reactors, as key thermochemical energy storage devices, face challenges such as low energy input efficiency and limited heat storage efficiency due to mass transfer constraints, which hinder their industrial application. To address these issues, a novel thermochemical energy storage direct fixed-bed reactor was designed. This device integrates the ventilation pipeline as an electric heating element for internal heating, thereby improving energy input efficiency, while a multi-channel design enhances mass transfer performance. The heat storage performance of the reactor was evaluated using three-dimensional numerical simulations to investigate the distribution of gas-solid chemical reactions, heat transfer, mass transfer, and fluid flow within the porous medium. The effects of operational parameters, including pressure, porosity, and heating power, on the heat storage process were also analyzed. Results indicate that the reactor bed exhibits high symmetry with a pronounced temperature gradient. Factors such as vapor pressure, porosity, and heat release power significantly influence reaction progress and equilibrium from different perspectives. This study elucidates the coupling mechanisms of multiple physical fields within a calcium-based thermochemical energy storage fixed bed, clarifies the interaction effects of various operational conditions, and provides a theoretical foundation for the design of fixed-bed reactors.
摘要:Underwater compressed air energy storage (UWCAES) represents a promising long-duration and large-capacity energy storage technology that plays a pivotal role in smoothing the output and facilitating the accommodation of offshore renewables. Shallow sea areas are critical for the development of offshore renewable energy; however, the limited water depth therein constrains the gas storage pressure, resulting in a low energy storage density. This study proposes a gravity-compensated UWCAES system and conducts a comprehensive analysis of its performance and key operating parameters. Firstly, a performance comparison was conducted between the proposed gravity-compensated underwater energy storage system and an underwater energy storage system without gravity compensation. The results indicate that the energy losses in both systems are primarily attributed to the compressors, expanders, and motors, accounting for 86.14% and 84.32% of the total exergy loss, respectively. Under the condition of a maximum pressure of 4 MPa for the air storage bag, after compensating the air storage pressure with counterweights, the maximum round-trip efficiency of the system can reach 67.60%, which is 2.67 percentage points higher than that without counterweights. The energy storage density can reach 3.98 kWh/m3, surpassing the 3.20 kWh/m3 achieved without counterweights. Secondly, the influence of key parameters such as the maximum pressure of the air storage bag, ambient temperature, compressor isentropic efficiency, and expander isentropic efficiency on the system performance was investigated. Analysis indicates that within the designed parameter range, improving the isentropic efficiency of the expander contributes most significantly to the enhancement of the system round-trip efficiency, while increasing the maximum pressure bearing capacity of the air storage bag exerts the most prominent effect on improving the system energy storage density. This study provides a technical reference for the design and application of underwater compressed air energy storage systems in shallow sea areas.
关键词:underwater compressed air energy storage;off-design operation;full-condition efficiency;thermodynamic performance analysis
摘要:As global climate governance grows increasingly urgent, the building sector—a strategic pillar of energy transition—faces an imperative need for zero-carbon transformation, while traditional cooling models struggle with dual bottlenecks in energy efficiency and economic viability. To address this, a hybrid active-passive cooperative cooling system integrating photovoltaic phase-change (PV-PCM) walls with ice-storage heat pumps is proposed, overcoming the limitations of conventional technologies through dual innovations in system modeling and operational control. By harnessing the multi-energy complementarity of photovoltaic power generation, phase-change thermal storage, and ice-storage technology, the system achieves coordinated operation characterized by "photovoltaic cooling, phase-change peak shaving, and heat pump supplementary cooling." Using typical summer climate data from Guangzhou and the local time-of-use electricity pricing policy, a building energy consumption prediction model was developed in TRNSYS, validated experimentally, and applied to investigate the effects of phase-change parameters (temperature/thickness), ice-storage tank volume, and demand response strategies on the system's thermal performance and economic efficiency. Results indicate that the optimal configuration, a phase-change temperature of 28℃, a phase-change material thickness of 0.2 m, and an ice-storage tank volume of 0.4 m3, minimizes indoor temperature fluctuations and reduces energy consumption, increasing the off-peak electricity utilization rate by 75.31%. Under time-of-use pricing, the daily net electricity purchase cost is 61.33% lower than that of conventional air-conditioning systems. Furthermore, incorporating the Global Temperature Adjustment strategy reduces electricity costs by an additional 6.37%, achieving a cooling cost coefficient as low as 0.182 CNY/kWh. With a static payback period of 5—7 years, the system demonstrates both technical feasibility and commercial potential, offering valuable insights for zero-carbon building design and energy optimization management in subtropical regions.
关键词:BIPV-PCM;TRNSYS;Ice storage cooling;Active and passive cooling synergy;Time-of-Use Electricity Pricing
摘要:To meet the cooling-capacity regulation demand of telecommunication base-station cooling systems under outdoor environmental variations and fluctuating cooling loads, this study developed a high-efficiency integrated cooling-storage phase change cold thermal energy storage (CTES) experimental rig and experimentally characterized the cold storage capacity and charging/discharging behaviors of plate-type phase change material (PCM) modules. The results show that for pure-water storage from 15℃ to 4℃ at 5 m3/h, the measured stored cooling capacity was 21781 kJ, deviating by 3.81% from the theoretical value of 20981.6 kJ, with a round-trip efficiency of 83%—86%, confirming the reliability of the measurements. In the PCM-plate mode at 5 m3/h, cooling from 27.2℃ to 4.03℃ achieved a cumulative charging capacity of 55025.5 kJ and a corresponding discharging capacity of 42184.5 kJ; the peak charging power reached 4.75 kW and decayed over time. Increasing the flow rate from 4 to 5 m3/h enhanced the charging power by 38.3% and shortened the time required to reach the same stored cooling capacity by 4.7 h. Under identical operating conditions (15℃ to 4℃), the system-level cold storage capacity increased from 20000 kJ (pure water) to 40000 kJ with PCM integration; for a water volume of 218.72 L and a PCM volume of 237.6 L, the PCM latent cooling capacity was 29943.3 kJ, corresponding to a volumetric energy storage density of 126.03 kJ/L, compared with 45.98 kJ/L for pure-water sensible storage, indicating that the PCM contribution reaches 2.74 times that of pure-water cold storage. These results provide design-relevant data and experimental evidence for plate-type PCM latent CTES in telecommunication base-station applications, supporting peak shaving and load leveling and facilitating engineering deployment.
摘要:Harnessing the supercooling behavior of phase change materials to achieve long-term stable thermal energy storage represents an effective approach to overcoming the significant heat loss inherent in conventional latent heat storage during seasonal thermal energy storage (TES). At present, systematic investigations into the dynamic heat release characteristics of helical coil-type supercooled phase change thermal storage units remain scarce, particularly concerning the recalescence effect and the latent heat release response mechanisms triggered by supercooled crystallization. To address this gap, this study investigates a helical coil-type thermal storage unit by establishing a dynamic numerical model coupled with crystallization kinetics criteria. It accurately simulates the supercooled phase change recalescence process through User-Defined Functions. Based on experimental validation, this study systematically examines the evolution of the internal temperature field, liquid fraction, and heat release power during the heat release process. Furthermore, it explores the influence mechanisms of phase change material thermal conductivity and heat transfer fluid inlet velocity on the dynamic heat release characteristics. The results demonstrate that the heat release process of the helical coil-type supercooled phase change thermal storage unit exhibits pronounced stage-wise evolution, which can be divided into three successive stages: liquid sensible heat cooling, recalescence-induced latent heat release, and solid sensible heat cooling. The temperature rise induced by recalescence instantaneously reduces the liquid fraction to 0.82, and the latent heat-dominated stage exhibits favorable long-duration performance. Increasing the material's thermal conductivity accelerates the solidification process. When the thermal conductivity reaches 1.2 W/(m·K), the peak outlet temperature and peak heat release power during recalescence increase by 17.8% and 35.7%, respectively. The inlet flow velocity produces contrasting effects on heat release power and outlet temperature: higher velocities enhance heat release power but shorten the supercooling trigger time and the duration of the temperature plateau by 26.9% and 30%, respectively.
摘要:To enhance the operational economic performance and load flexibility of cold storage facilities under time-of-use electricity pricing, this study developed a bi-level optimization framework for the capacity configuration and operational strategy of a refrigerated warehouse cold thermal energy storage system. A medium-sized refrigerated warehouse was selected as the case study, and system models including a dual-mode chiller unit and a phase-change thermal energy storage device were established. At the upper level, lifecycle cost minimization was adopted as the optimization objective, and a genetic algorithm was employed to determine the optimal capacities of the chiller unit and thermal energy storage device. At the lower level, a mixed-integer linear programming model was developed to minimize the typical-day operating cost through optimal scheduling under time-of-use electricity pricing, and the operational results were iteratively fed back to the upper level. The results indicated that, under current electricity pricing conditions, the optimized system reduced the discounted operational cost by 30% compared with the baseline scheme, achieving a discounted lifecycle cost of 52.3 thousand CNY and a dynamic payback period of 8.01 years. Further analysis of different peak-valley electricity price ratios showed that, as the ratio increased from 1.45 to 9.25, the lifecycle cost decreased to 40.3 thousand CNY and the dynamic payback period shortened to 3.29 years, while the optimal thermal storage capacity increased significantly. These findings provide quantitative support for capacity planning and operational strategy development of cold storage refrigeration-thermal energy storage systems under time-of-use electricity pricing.
关键词:refrigerated warehouse;cold thermal energy storage;bi-level optimization;Life Cycle Cost
摘要:Refrigerated warehouses can achieve peak shaving on the user side through the integration of phase change material (PCM) modules, thereby improving operational economics. However, the low heat transfer performance of phase change cold storage plates limits the charging rate, posing a key challenge. While reducing plate thickness can enhance heat transfer, it significantly decreases the cold storage capacity of individual plates. This study aims to optimize module storage capacity and the thermal charging process. The effects of plate thickness and perforated structures on PCM solidification were analyzed via numerical simulations. Based on these results, an optimized cold storage plate design was developed and experimentally validated. Results indicate that reducing thickness substantially shortens solidification time and improves cold storage efficiency: A 33 mm plate required 11.68 h, whereas a 25 mm plate required only 8.3 h, a reduction of 28.9%, with a 6.6% increase in cold storage capacity per unit time. Introducing perforations with an 18 mm diameter further reduced solidification time to 7.9 h (a 4.8% decrease) and increased cold storage capacity per unit time by 453.58 J, while maintaining essentially the same single-plate capacity. Experimental validation using a 25 mm plate with 18 mm perforations in a constant temperature environment at -24℃ demonstrated complete solidification in 7.71 h, a relative error of only 2.46% compared to simulations. Through the combined effects of thickness optimization and perforated surfaces to increase heat transfer area, this study successfully designed a cold storage plate capable of meeting the 8 h cold charging requirement during off-peak electricity periods, providing an efficient technical solution for energy conservation in refrigerated warehouse applications.
摘要:The present study introduces a self-consistent energy system designed to recover waste heat from electrolytic cells, thereby addressing the energy demands of hydrogen production plants. The system incorporates a three-stage latent heat storage (CTES) device that captures and utilizes waste heat generated by the electrolytic cell, providing a reliable heat source for absorption refrigeration and domestic hot water supply. This integration facilitates the combined supply of cooling and heating during hydrogen production. At the material level, three composite phase change materials (CPCMs) based on paraffin were selected, and the thermal physical properties were tested. The thermal response characteristics of the CTES unit were simulated using Ansys Fluent software, and the operational performance of the system were analyzed based on the TRNSYS dynamic simulation platform. Comparative results before and after CTES integration reveal the stable systematic operation, with cooling capacity meeting demand and the coefficient of performance deviation of the heat pump being less than 5%. Economically, the total life cycle cost of the CTES is ¥5.34 million, significantly lower than that of a single-stage system, with a dynamic payback period of only 3.5 years. In addition, the application of CPCMs has reduced investment in energy storage units by approximately 53%, significantly improving the energy efficiency and economic viability of the system. Overall, this system effectively integrates cascade waste heat recovery from the hydrogen production process with combined cooling and heating supply, providing an efficient, cost-effective, and stable energy-autonomous solution for the industrial sector. This approach significantly enhances the overall energy efficiency and economic competitiveness of hydrogen production.
关键词:electrolyzer;cascaded latent thermal energy storage;combined heating and cooling supply;TRNSYS dynamic simulation
摘要:Compared with conventional water-based thermal energy storage, deep geothermal reservoirs offer advantages such as high temperature, large storage capacity, and stable output. Deep geothermal long-term energy storage technology provides an effective solution to address the spatio-temporal mismatch between energy supply and demand in large-scale clean heating systems. However, technical and economic feasibility remains a critical indicator for evaluating the viability of related projects. Nevertheless, most previous studies have primarily focused on the simulation of geothermal energy storage while neglecting the dynamic operational changes of both ground-based heat sources and building load systems. Additionally, the operational modes have been overly simplified, leading to insufficient performance in terms of the system's technical rationality and economic effectiveness. To address these limitations, this study establishes a coupled ground-underground model and conducts an hourly dynamic simulation of long-term energy storage operation under variable conditions for a typical deep geothermal energy storage system in North China. The comprehensive performance of the system under various operational modes is analyzed and evaluated. The results indicate that under the "source-load-storage" dynamic collaborative operation mode, compared with conventional operation modes, the heat storage capacity decreases by 50.4%—64.5%, the thermal plume radius reduces by 59.1%—81.8%, the operational cost decreases by 50.4%—64.5%, the operational profit increases by 32.1%—77.1%, and the payback period is shortened by 24.3%—43.5%. These findings demonstrate the significant advantages of this dynamic collaborative operation mode in improving the technical and economic performance of deep geothermal long-term energy storage systems. Under specific scenarios, the dynamic coupled ground-underground model developed in this study provides refined technical support for characterizing the performance of deep geothermal long-term energy storage systems under variable operating conditions.
关键词:Deep Geothermal Energy;Long-Term Energy Storage;Variable Operating Conditions;Ground-Underground Coupling;"Source-Load-Storage" Collaboration;Technical and Economic Efficiency
摘要:The adsorption thermal energy storage (ATES) is one of the most promising approaches to realize the efficient thermal utilization of solar energy. However, the existing reactor-level heat and mass transfer theories focused on the evolution of individual reactor physical processes fail to elucidate the mechanism behind nonlinear dependencies between multiple physical parameters. In this study, a numerical model of an ATES reactor using zeolite-water vapor as the adsorption working pair was established. The evolution of multi-physics fields within the reactor was analyzed. The multi-parameter adsorption reaction-wave model was proposed. The results indicate that a multi-parameter reaction-wave arose within the reactor during the adsorption process. The adsorption rate of adsorbent, axial temperature gradient and axial concentration gradient within the reactor all exhibited wave characteristics, corresponding respectively to the adsorption reaction, the heat transfer and the mass transfer. The movement of reaction-wave across the reactor was analyzed to elucidate the reactor thermal output characteristics. When the packed height of adsorbent in the reactor exceeded the wavelength of the reaction wave, the reactor operated at a stable output temperature. Correlations between multi-parameter adsorption reaction waveforms were quantified using the dimensionless waveform analysis.
关键词:adsorption;thermal energy storage;reaction wave;multiple-physical field
摘要:In response to the current situation in industrial parks where fossil energy is used independently for heating and cooling, with cooling towers providing cooling, and to achieve the goal of low-carbon energy supply, this paper proposes an electricity-driven dual heating and cooling energy coupling system based on heat pumps and energy storage. Based on current energy conditions, a numerical model of the system was established to study the impact of cooling temperatures (7—20℃) and heating temperatures (50—120℃) on thermodynamic performance. The system's economic and environmental benefits were also compared with traditional coal-fired, gas-fired, and electric boiler energy supply schemes, with and without consideration of cooling demand. The results indicate that, in the performance analysis, when the heating temperature is 120℃ and the cooling temperature is 7℃, the system achieves a maximum coefficient of performance (COP) of 1.733 at an intermediate temperature of 71℃. In the economic analysis, when cooling demand is considered, the system has the lowest total life-cycle cost over the 50—120℃ temperature range, and its daily operating cost is reduced by 73.9%, 57.4%, and 80% compared to electric boilers, coal-fired boilers, and gas-fired boilers, respectively. In terms of carbon emissions, the system's emissions are significantly lower than those of electric boilers and coal-fired boilers. When the heating temperature is 60℃, its carbon emissions are only 24% of those of electric boilers; in most scenarios, it also outperforms gas boiler schemes. In summary, based on economic and environmental benefit assessments, heat pumps are the most advantageous solution in scenarios where both cooling and heating demands coexist.
关键词:dual heating and cooling supply;heat pump;boiler;Performance analysis;economic analysis;carbon emissions
摘要:Borehole thermal energy storage heating systems can deliver efficient, low-cost, low-carbon heating by seasonally storing low-grade heat and upgrading it via heat pumps. However, research on the long-term operating characteristics of borehole fields across different scales remains insufficient. In this study, a borehole thermal energy storage integrated heat pump system was developed in TRNSYS and simulated for 10 consecutive years. The effects of heat-source temperature (30—50℃) and borehole number (200—2000) on storage capacity, heat loss, heating system performance, and economics were evaluated. The results show that increasing the number of boreholes from 200 to 2000 significantly reduces volumetric heat loss. Taking Year 10 as an example, for the 50℃ heat-source case, the storage efficiency increases from 75.0% to 85.0%, while the heat-loss ratio decreases from 20.0% to 11.9%. In addition, as the borehole number increases, the distribution of heat loss shifts among the sidewall, top, and bottom boundaries. The sidewall share decreases whereas the top and bottom shares increase, indicating that surface insulation becomes necessary for large-scale systems to mitigate top-boundary heat loss. Heat-source temperature and borehole field scale jointly determine storage efficiency and the system's seasonal performance factor. Reduction of the heat source temperature may improve heat storage efficiency, but it increases the power consumption of the heat pump. Therefore, low-temperature borehole thermal energy storage offers greater economic advantages when electricity prices are low and heat source recovery costs are high. The findings provide guidance for borehole field sizing and heat-loss mitigation for seasonal BTES systems driven by low-grade heat sources.
关键词:seasonal borehole thermal energy storage;low-grade heat source;building heating;economic
摘要:Buildings in severe cold regions represent a critical sector for energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions due to long heating seasons and high thermal demand. In this context, the application of phase change materials (PCMs) plays an important role in improving building energy efficiency and reducing environmental impacts. In this study, a composite phase change material (CPCM) suitable for severe cold climatic conditions was developed based on regional climate characteristics. The CPCM was experimentally prepared, and its key thermophysical properties, including phase change temperature, latent heat, and thermal conductivity, were systematically characterized to verify its applicability for building envelope integration. The CPCM was then incorporated into the building wall structure and coupled with a clean energy supply system composed of an air-source heat pump, thermal storage devices, wind turbines, and photovoltaic panels. A dynamic simulation model was established using the TRNSYS platform to analyze the building thermal loads and phase change behavior of the CPCM wall throughout the annual operation period. On this basis, a comprehensive evaluation of the integrated clean energy system was carried out using a 4E assessment framework, covering energy, exergy, economic, and environmental performance. The simulation results demonstrate that, compared with a conventional building, the phase change wall building shows a reduction of 410 MWh in annual heating supply, while the annual cooling supply increases by 171 MWh. In addition, the electricity supply demand of the system decreases by 297 MWh. From the exergy perspective, the overall system exergy efficiency decreases by 8.4%, indicating changes in energy quality utilization caused by the integration of phase change walls. From the economic perspective, the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) increases by 6.9%, reflecting the additional investment associated with CPCM application and system configuration. Despite this economic increase, the environmental analysis reveals that CO2 emissions are reduced by 4.3%, highlighting the emission reduction potential of the proposed system. To further improve system performance, response surface methodology was employed to optimize three key design parameters: CPCM wall thickness, number of wind turbines, and battery capacity. The optimization results indicate that the optimal configuration is achieved when the number of wind turbines is 9, the CPCM thickness is 30 mm, and the battery capacity is 1300 kWh, under which the system energy COP reaches a maximum value of 4.59. Overall, this study provides a systematic framework for material development, system integration, performance evaluation, and parameter optimization, offering theoretical support and practical guidance for the design and optimization of near-zero energy buildings in severe cold regions.
关键词:phase change walls;clean energy supply system;dynamic simulation;4E analysis;configuration optimization
摘要:To address indoor overheating risks caused by extreme heatwaves compounded by power outages, this paper proposes a thermal resilience enhancement method using phase-change envelopes. Based on the EnergyPlus platform, a model incorporating a CaCl2·6H2O/EG composite PCM was simulated under the SSP5-8.5 future climate scenario. A multidimensional framework, including Indoor Overheating Degree (IOD), Overheating Exceedance Factor (OEF), and "equivalent virtual energy storage capacity," was established to evaluate performance. Results indicate that the PCM wall reduced peak indoor temperature by 1.31°C and delayed the peak by 5 hours. It significantly enhanced environmental resilience by lowering IOD and OEF by 66.33% and 65.57%, respectively. Functioning as a "distributed thermal-side virtual battery," the PCM layer provided 0.09 kWh/m2 of passive cooling during outages. This study validates the potential of phase-change technology for ensuring thermal safety and bridging energy gaps in climate-adaptive building design.
关键词:phase-change energy storage;building envelope;building thermal resilience;extreme heatwaves;passive thermal regulation
摘要:High shares of renewable energy and electrification create major challenges for campus integrated energy systems (IESs), particularly the dynamic mismatch between energy supply and demand. To address this issue, this paper proposes a supply-demand coordinated planning method based on multi-energy storage. A source-load-storage planning framework is developed with campus-level carbon neutrality as the primary objective. Under electrification scenarios, the dynamic electricity, heating, and cooling loads of a campus are simulated. The renewable energy potential of rooftop photovoltaic systems and heat pumps is evaluated. The multi-timescale matching between renewable energy supply and load demand is quantitatively analyzed. Based on these results, the coordinated configuration of multi-energy storage is studied across daily to seasonal time scales, considering both electrical and thermal storage needs. An integrated storage strategy is proposed by combining passive storage, such as the thermal inertia of buildings and heating/cooling systems, with active storage technologies, including thermal storage tanks and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) systems. System planning schemes are finally evaluated. The results show that the proposed method improves renewable energy utilization through coordinated energy storage, achieving campus operational carbon neutrality while maintaining economic performance and system flexibility.
关键词:integrated energy system;multi-energy storage;coordinated planning;seasonal thermal energy storage;passive thermal storage;Vehicle-to-Grid
摘要:In response to the increasingly stringent thermal management requirements and thermal runaway challenges associated with lithium-ion batteries, liquid cooling has emerged as a mainstream thermal management strategy due to its superior heat dissipation capability. This review systematically summarizes recent research progress in liquid cooling technologies for lithium-ion batteries. First, for indirect cold plate cooling, various structural innovation strategies, including flow-channel layout optimization, biomimetic channel design, topology optimization, and microchannel configurations, are systematically reviewed, with particular emphasis on hybrid thermal management systems coupled with phase change materials for suppressing thermal runaway propagation. Second, single-phase immersion cooling is critically analyzed from four key perspectives: coolant property evaluation, system structural and flow-channel optimization, heat transfer mechanisms, and thermal runaway mitigation. Third, for two-phase immersion cooling, phase-change heat transfer mechanisms are elucidated from the perspective of bubble dynamics, on the basis of which design principles for heat transfer enhancement are proposed. Finally, in light of current industrial development, future research directions are discussed. It is highlighted that a systematic understanding of the quantitative relationships between key coolant thermophysical properties, battery thermal management performance, and thermal runaway suppression capability is urgently required to establish unified design guidelines for the development of next-generation coolants with both high performance and environmental sustainability. Meanwhile, structural innovation guided by fundamental heat transfer mechanisms should be further advanced to overcome heat dissipation limits under extreme thermal abuse conditions, thereby enabling effective mitigation of thermal runaway and its propagation.
摘要:Thermal energy storage (TES) has emerged as a critical technology for enhancing the flexibility of energy systems and the integration capacity of renewable energy sources by addressing mismatches in the temporal, spatial, and intensity dimensions of energy supply and demand. This study conducted a comprehensive review and analysis of nearly 30000 scholarly publications using systematic review and scientometric knowledge mapping methodologies to delineate the research progress, application landscape, and development trends in the TES field. The investigation reveals that research activity in TES has experienced sustained and rapid growth, evolving into a multi-layered knowledge architecture structured around "Materials-Systems-Applications." A distinct global research landscape has materialized, characterized by a tripartite leadership comprising China, the United States, and Europe, each exhibiting unique strategic focuses and developmental trajectories. The current research frontier is primarily concentrated on the pursuit of high performance, system intelligence, and deep integration. Key areas of intense focus include: (1) long-duration energy storage technologies, notably thermochemical heat storage and calcium looping (CaL) cycles; (2) intelligent responsive materials, such as MXene-based composite materials and those whose properties can be modulated by magnetic fields; (3) multi-energy coupled integration, with core applications in integrated energy systems (IES) and Carnot batteries; and (4) machine learning (ML)-enabled optimization across the entire TES chain, from material discovery to system design and operational control. To propel the large-scale application of TES technologies, concerted innovation across material, system, and market dimensions is urgently required. Future efforts must prioritize overcoming key technical bottlenecks, such as enhancing material cyclability and energy density for long-term storage, improving the efficiency and intelligence of system integration, and developing robust market mechanisms and policy frameworks. This study provides a systematic, data-driven overview that can serve as a foundational reference for researchers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders navigating the evolving landscape of thermal energy storage.
摘要:China possesses abundant industrial waste heat resources. However, the utilization rates remain relatively low. Thermal energy storage (TES) technologies play a crucial role in improving waste heat recovery efficiency by decoupling heat sources from utilization and conversion processes. Solid particle thermal energy storage, known for its high-temperature adaptability and strong cycle stability, is commonly employed in TES systems and is particularly effective in high-temperature flue gas heating applications. Based on a review of recent domestic and international literature, this study focuses on thermal storage technologies that utilize high-temperature flue gas as the heat source and solid particles as the storage medium. First, it examines the sources and utilization methods of industrial waste heat, analyzes the principles underlying solid particle thermal storage when heated by high-temperature flue gas, and proposes metrics for system evaluation. Second, it reviews advancements in solid particle thermal storage systems while discussing material selection and performance characterization. It also considers design approaches for storage devices, such as packed, moving, and fluidized beds, highlighting their respective advantages, disadvantages, and suitable applications. Relevant domestic and international practices are summarized. Third, the review addresses practical implementation challenges, including improving heat transfer efficiency, minimizing particle wear and ash accumulation, and optimizing system control. Finally, this study outlines potential future research directions, such as the development of novel heat storage materials, optimization of heat transfer structures, and integration of intelligent control technologies. The study thus aims to provide a theoretical foundation as well as technical support for advancing industrial waste heat utilization technologies and facilitating the low-carbon transformation of energy systems.
摘要:In recent years, with the increasing demand for efficient thermal management technologies in fields such as electronic devices and chips, industrial energy systems, building energy conservation, and functional metamaterials, research on the regulation of heat flow has gradually become an important interdisciplinary direction in thermal science and materials science. Among these, the thermal rectification effect based on phase change materials has attracted widespread attention from researchers worldwide. This paper systematically reviews the research progress of phase change materials in the field of thermal rectification. First, it introduces the latest research advances in solid-solid and solid-liquid phase change materials based on different material phase transitions, and analyzes the design differences among various thermal rectifiers. Then, it focuses on the construction and optimization of various thermal rectification devices based on phase change materials, including the improvement of thermal rectification performance through heterojunction design, interface engineering, and material compounding. Finally, the paper reviews the progress in the application of thermal rectification materials in electronic device chip heat dissipation, energy system and building energy-saving thermal management, and novel metamaterials. It discusses a series of key issues and challenges, including precise control of phase transition temperature and range, improvement of the thermal rectification (TR) ratio, and further enhancement of cyclic stability. The paper also looks forward to future research trends in next-generation intelligent thermal management. Based on existing research results, the paper proposes methods such as doping or compositing polymers with high thermal conductivity materials, interface strengthening and micro/nano encapsulation, and asymmetric gradient structure design to optimize the phase transition temperature range and further improve thermal rectification performance, providing guidance for the design of high-performance thermal rectification materials.
摘要:Thermal energy storage (TES) technologies are characterized by a high support contribution, renewability, and strong energy-accommodation capability, and thus occupy a core strategic position in building today's energy development system. However, TES projects typically require substantial upfront investment, while benefit channels remain relatively limited and value accounting is not clearly defined, which, to varying degrees, undermines coordinated development across the industry chain, including the generation side, the grid side, and the end-user side. On the basis of analyzing the current status of the TES economy and the mechanisms of value formation, this paper investigates value allocation mechanisms across the full industry chain from multiple perspectives, including techno-economic characteristics, market trading mechanisms, and benefit-sharing models, and proposes a tailored allocation framework, with the aim of providing institutional and policy safeguards for integrating the TES economy into a new-type energy system.
关键词:new energy system;thermal energy storage economy;entire industrial chain;value distribution;market mechanism
摘要:Compressed air energy storage (CAES) is a vital technology for large-scale energy storage, facilitating the integration of high levels of renewable energy and helping to achieve carbon peak and neutrality goals. Integrating CAES with wind, hydropower, solar, biomass, geothermal, hydrogen, and heat pump energy significantly enhances system performance. This systematic review examines several multi-energy coupling mechanisms. For instance, wind/solar-CAES improves grid integration rates to 71% through power smoothing. PH-CAES overcomes geographical constraints and boosts installed capacity. Solar thermal-CAES raises the expander inlet temperature through direct solar auxiliary heating. Biomass/geothermal coupling achieves fuel substitution and enables combined cooling, heating, and power generation. Hydrogen-CAES improves energy storage efficiency by synergistically utilizing cold energy and hydrogen combustion for power generation. In series coupling, heat pumps recover waste heat from sources, including the expansion exhaust and compression processes as well as process waste heat, to drive vapor compression or absorption cycles, resulting in a system efficiency increase of 3.75%—29.96%. In parallel coupling, heat pumps utilize curtailed wind power and decouple combined heat and power constraints. Performance analysis reveals that efficiency variations derive from the extent of heat recovery optimization (e.g., heat pump COP > 3) and the complexity of system integration. Economic viability is affected by equipment investment and adaptability to different scenarios. Despite challenges such as air storage reservoir sealing fatigue, increased entropy losses in thermal management, and difficulties in dynamically aligning heat pumps with waste heat sources, future advancements should focus on developing biomimetic self-healing sealing materials, supercritical CO2 cycles, and intelligent heat pump-CAES coordination algorithms. These developments must be supported by policy and standardization frameworks to foster large-scale, high-value applications.
关键词:compressed air energy storage;renewable energy;heat pump coupling;system performance;multi-energy complementarity;waste heat recovery
摘要:The continuous growth of global energy consumption and the intensification of greenhouse gas emissions have made the building sector a key battleground for energy conservation and emission reduction. As a core component of building energy consumption, HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) systems can account for up to 70% of total building energy consumption during peak summer electricity demand periods, not only increasing building operating costs but also posing a severe challenge to the stable operation of regional power grids. Ice storage technology, as an efficient phase change energy storage solution, utilizes off-peak electricity at night to produce and store ice, which is then melted during peak daytime hours to provide cooling, thereby achieving peak shaving and valley filling of power loads. This not only alleviates the pressure of peak-valley differences on the power grid but also reduces building operating costs and carbon emissions, offering significant economic and environmental benefits. This article systematically reviews and compares ice-making and ice-melting technologies. In terms of ice-making technology, static ice-making is widely used due to its simple structure and low equipment cost, but it faces the bottleneck of increased thermal resistance as the ice layer thickens, leading to decreasing ice-making efficiency over time. Dynamic ice-making, by introducing mechanical or fluid disturbance to produce ice slurry, effectively overcomes the shortcomings of static ice-making. Among these methods, the scraping method, with its high ice-making efficiency, stable ice slurry quality, and low operation and maintenance costs, has become the mainstream technical approach. In terms of ice-melting technology, coil-based systems represent the core application form, which are divided into internal melting and external melting modes: internal melting melts the ice layer from the inside out by introducing hot water or hot air into the coil, which is fast but prone to local overheating of the ice layer; external melting melts the ice layer through external fluid scouring, which is more uniform but has relatively lower heat transfer efficiency. In addition, the article deeply analyzes the heat transfer enhancement mechanisms of ice layer fragmentation, density inversion, and air stirring disturbance on the ice melting process, as well as potential side effects such as increased energy consumption. Through this review of ice-making and ice-melting technologies, this article deepens the understanding of the physical mechanisms in the coil ice melting process, providing an important theoretical basis and engineering reference for the optimization design, operation strategy formulation, and promotion of ice storage systems, which is of great significance for advancing energy conservation and emission reduction in the building sector. Furthermore, this paper explores the potential value and application prospects of ice storage systems as high-quality flexible energy storage units in participating in grid demand-side response and coordinated operation with virtual power plants, expanding the theoretical framework for their role in building a new power system.
关键词:ice storage;phase change energy storage;ice making technology;ice melt technology
摘要:Thermal energy storage (TES) technology is a key enabler for spatiotemporal energy transfer and for enhancing the flexibility and efficiency of energy systems, playing a crucial role in advancing the energy transition and decarbonizing industrial and building sectors. This study systematically reveals the development patterns of TES by analyzing global strategic layouts, technical classifications, patent trends from 2016 to 2025, and typical application scenarios. The findings indicate that a global strategic consensus has been reached, albeit with distinct national pathways: the United States focuses on market-driven mechanisms, the European Union strengthens regulatory guidance, while China promotes large-scale deployment through national engineering projects. Technologically, sensible, latent, and thermochemical heat storage each possess unique advantages and exhibit complementary development. Patent analysis reveals that China leads in the total number of patent applications but holds a lower proportion of high-value patents. R&D activities are concentrated in three main areas: system architecture, material and performance innovation, and application scenario expansion. TES applications have been widely adopted in sectors such as power systems, industry, and buildings, and are extending to emerging areas like data centers, demonstrating clear value realization pathways. In conclusion, TES is a critical technology for achieving carbon neutrality, and future efforts should prioritize breakthroughs in material science, deeper system integration, and innovative business models to accelerate its commercialization.
关键词:thermal energy storage;patent analysis;application scenarios;Technology Development;Energy transition
摘要:This bimonthly review paper summarizes 100 recent research articles on lithium batteries, selected from 6522 publications retrieved via Web of Science between Dec 28, 2025 and Jan 28, 2026 using keywords "lithium" and "batter*". Layered cathode materials, including high-nickel ternary layered oxides, LiNiO2, LiCoO2, and Li-rich oxides have been improved by surface coating and optimizing the precursors and synthesis conditions. Research on silicon based anode materials foucus on the surface coating techniques and design of composite material, while the interfacial phase growth analyses of metallic lithium anodes were well down. Sulfide, oxide, and polymer-ceramic composite solid-state electrolytes were widely investigated and the influences of preparations on properties. Liquid electrolyte with new additives/solvents were proposed for enhancing its compatibility with high-voltage cathode, the safety of battery, and the performances of lithium and graphite anodes. For all-solid-state batteries, large attentions were drawn to the interface coating design, bilayer electrolyte architectures, and to suppress lithium dendrites and side reactions. Cathode design for liquid lithium-sulfur battery was also studied. Characterizations on the structural evolution in cathode materials during cycling, the thermal runaway behavior of batteries, and electrochemical/chemical stability of sulfide electrolytes were presented. Theoretical works include the optimization of electrolyte components, the prediction of aging and modeling of the thermal runaway behaviours of Li-ion batteries.
关键词:lithium batteries;cathode material;anode material;solid state electrolyte;battery technology