Three-dimensional unsteady CFD simulations of a thermal storage tank performance for optimum design

The CFD results confirmed the importance of combined effects on the performance of thermal storage tanks and showed that an appropriately designed storage tank can provide improved stratification conditions. Moreover, 3D transient CFD simulations can be used as an effective tool to optimise thermal storage tank parameters at early design stages, thus it may add to the value of the storage tank performance and efficiency, by optimising the whole solar thermal energy storage system design and size.