Latent heat thermal energy storage for application to a mid-temperature range

摘要

Since fossil fuels like petroleum, coal, and natural gas will sooner or later run out in this or next century, natural energies like solar, wind, and biomass will rise as one of alternative energy sources. One of the most promising means to produce power from these natural energies is the solar Rankine cycle system which operates under a low temperature range below 200°C. Solar heat is collected and stored as pressurized hot water in the LHTES accumulator in daytime, and the steam turbines or various type of expanders will be operated whenever energy demand exists. As an application of the LHTES system to steam accumulator is taken up and the possible thermal performance of this accumulator will be discussed.