Work

Experimental investigation and simulation of a helical coil heat exchanger with hematite thermal reservoir

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This paper introduces an innovative helical coil heat exchanger using Hematite as a heat storage material, enhancing retention and thermal management. Parabolic trough collectors deliver heat to the heat exchanger's shell side using Therminol VP‐1 with Al2O3 nanoparticles, while another collector supplies vapor to the helical coil connected to a turbine. A concentric cylinder serves as a rechargeable heat reservoir. The study presents a control‐oriented modeling methodology for a practical TES tank with a helical immersed heat exchanger. Temperature dynamics of the heat transfer fluid within the tank are discretely modeled for computational efficiency in real‐time simulations. A simulated case with model‐based feedback control demonstrates the efficacy of this approach, validated by comparing simulation results with experimental data. Results show a close correlation between the surface temperature of the heat storage tank and the helical coil temperature, affirming model accuracy and reliability. The system achieves an efficiency of 37%. A case study involving a 1 Kw steam‐operated power plant (150–200°C, 7–10 bar, 50 kg/h) illustrates the practical application and benefits of the methodology in achieving intelligent and efficient TES system operation.

Source: Environmental Progress & Sustainable Energy

DOI: 10.1002/ep.14562

Authors: Vijay Kumar Pandey, Om Prakash

Institution: Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra

Language: English

Topic: Solar Thermal and Photovoltaic Systems

Subfield: Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment

Field: Energy

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Affordable and clean energy

Open Access status: bronze

Funders: Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology, India, Science and Engineering Research Board