Student research opportunities
System design for high-temperature sodium-based solar thermal energy storage
Project Code: CECS_1179
This project is available at the following levels:
Masters, PhD
Please note that this project is only for higher degree (postgraduate) applicants.
Keywords:
heat transfer, thermodynamics, energy system modelling, annual performance, PCM, phase change, sodium, liquid metals, sodium chloride.
Supervisors:
Dr John PyeDr Joe Coventry
Outline:
A novel high-temperature thermal energy storage concept for use with concentrating solar power systems is under development. The concept uses latent heat transfer both for the working fluid as well as for the storage medium. This project will involve developing full-scale system models of the concept, including heat transfer, thermodynamics and process dynamics. A techno-economic model is required to demonstrate the viability of the concept, as well as to facilitate optimisation of the individual components as well as the overall system. During this project, it is expected that other members of the ANU team will be involved in setting and running up bench-scale experiments which will help to validate the simulation work in this project. This project here is intended to be primarily simulation based, although there may be scope for participation in some of the laboratory-based activities if desired.
Goals of this project
Complete model of energy storage system.
Technoeconomic evaluation.
Optimisation of component and system design parameters.
Requirements/Prerequisites
Mechanical (especially energy) or chemical (process) engineering backgrounds are most relevant, although a science (mathematics and chemistry, or mathematics and physics) may be appropriate. International applicants will need a Masters degree from a good-quality university as well as journal or conference publications to be competitive. Domestic applicants should have a first-class honours degree from a good-quality university.
Links
High-temperature sodium-based energy collection and storage (ARC Linkage Project)Liu et al, 2012. "Review on storage materials and thermal performance enhancement techniques for high temperature phase change thermal storage systems"
Boerema et al, 2012. "Liquid sodium versus Hitec as a heat transfer fluid in solar thermal central receiver systems"
Boerema et al, 2012. "High temperature solar thermal central-receiver billboard design"
Vast Solar
