A comparison of experimental thermal stratification parameters for an oil/pebble-bed thermal energy storage (TES) system during charging

Six different experimental thermal stratification evaluation parameters during charging for an oil/pebble-bed TES system are presented. The six parameters are the temperature distribution along the height of the storage tank at different time intervals, the charging energy efficiency, the charging exergy efficiency, the stratification number, the Reynolds number and the Richardson number. These parameters are evaluated under six different experimental charging conditions. Temperature distribution along the height of the storage tank at different time intervals and the stratification number are parameters found to describe thermal stratification quantitatively adequately. On the other-hand, the charging exergy efficiency and the Reynolds number give important information about describing thermal stratification qualitatively and should be used with care. The charging energy efficiency and the Richardson number have no clear relationship with thermal stratification.

► Six experimental thermal stratification parameters are evaluated in a TES system.
► Stratification number and temperature difference evaluate stratification adequately.
► Exergy efficiency and Reynolds number evaluate stratification qualitatively.
► Richardson number and energy efficiency not clearly related with stratification.