Modeling of fixed bed heat storage units utilizing phase change materials

A computer model has been developed for the calculation of the heat exchanged and temperature profiles in a packed bed containing a phase change material. The packed bed is intended as a heat storage unit in which an inert fluid flowing through the bed exchanges heat with an encapsulated spherical shot of the phase change (melting and freezing) material. Examples of predicted bed temperature profiles during heat storage and utilization cycles are given. For A1-12 wt pct Si and Al-30 wt pct Si shot, a sequence of storage and utilization cycles with cyclic cocurrent fluid flow was found to utilize the high latent heat of fusion of the shot efficiently and permit the utilization of the bed as a near isothermal (577°C) heat recuperator.