Physical models for packed bed: Sensible heat storage systems

Abstract In this article, we discuss different physical models to evaluate the thermal performance of packed bed for sensible heat storage with air as the heat transfer fluid (HTF). The mathematical equations are numerically solved by applying the finite volume method, and the derived results are corroborated by the existing experiments in the literature. Numerical simulations are performed with different solid storage materials and for various mass flow rates of HTF, porosity and solid material size. Detailed characteristics of the packed bed are discussed and various numerical results are presented. The applicability of pressure drop and the thermal optimization of the packed bed are also discussed.