Smart adaptive model for dynamic simulation of horizontal thermally stratified storage tanks

• Published in: Energy (Oxford) 2018-01, Vol.142, p.782-792
• Main Authors: Hafez, A.M., Kassem, M.A., Huzayyin, O.A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adaptive grid; Computer simulation; Cylindrical tanks; Horizontal; Horizontal orientation; Reduction; Segments; Solar energy; Solar heating; Storage tanks; Tank geometry; Thermal storage; Thermocline; Vertical orientation; Water flow; Water heaters; Water tanks
• ISSN: 0360-5442; 1873-6785
• DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2017.10.079

Although, the horizontal thermally stratified storage tanks (TSST) are nowadays the most popular, especially in the domestic solar water heaters, most of the literature is oriented towards the vertical tanks. Recently, a smart adaptive model for TSST was proposed, where the grid segments size and location changes automatically according the different variations in the tank. It showed good agreement with experimental work, however the model and its validation was presented for the vertical configuration only. In this work, the adaptive-grid model is extended to the horizontal cylindrical tank orientation while accounting for the changes in grid segments cross-section during moving in the vertical direction as to be aligned with the thermocline region; the proposed model is validated with experimental data available in the literature. The results show an excellent agreement with the literature and yield a significant reduction in the number of nodes needed for the modeling (∼32.7% reduction) when compared to other horizontal tank models while accounting for the changes tank geometry in the vertical direction. •Smart adaptive-grid model for horizontal cylindrical tank orientation is proposed.•The model saves computational time and reduces complexity.•The model is validated with experimental data available in the literature.