What is the Best Solution to Improve Thermal Performance of Storage Tanks With Immersed Heat Exchangers: Baffles or a Divided Tank?

摘要

Prior studies of indirect water storage tanks that employ an immersed heat exchanger to discharge the stored energy identified two potential methods of improving the rate of energy extraction: (1) an internal baffle to increase the velocity across the heat exchanger and (2) a divided storage compartment to achieve thermal stratification. The relative benefits of the two options are compared and recommendations for implementation are provided based in part on measurements in a 350 l tank with a 10 m long, 0.3 m~2 coiled tubular heat exchanger.