Transient local entropy generation analysis for the design improvement of a thermocline thermal energy storage

We found that analyzing the cumulated exergy destruction only is a blind way to proceed because very limited insights can be obtained on the physical phenomenon. In this case, the total irreversibilities can be reduced only by 7% and 12% with the help of a porous and a solid baffle respectively. On the other hand, the simultaneous examination of the three parameters allows to generate a far better design by using a compounded baffle able to reduce the total entropy generation of more than 60% compared to the initial configuration.