Analysis of Thermodynamic Processes in Thermal Energy Storage Vessels


Garbai L., ROBERT S., Bošnjaković M.

Thermo, vol.6, no.1, 2026 (ESCI, Scopus) identifier identifier

  • Nəşrin Növü: Article / Article
  • Cild: 6 Say: 1
  • Nəşr tarixi: 2026
  • Doi nömrəsi: 10.3390/thermo6010005
  • jurnalın adı: Thermo
  • Jurnalın baxıldığı indekslər: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), Scopus
  • Açar sözlər: district heating networks, pressure vessel modelling, thermal energy storage, transient thermodynamics, two-phase flow
  • Adres: Bəli

Qısa məlumat

To balance the quantity of heat generated and consumed, thermal energy storage systems are crucial for power plants and district heating systems. Particularly when phase transitions and pressure variations are not adequately covered in the existing literature, their work frequently takes place under complicated, changing temperature and fluid dynamic settings. The goal of this research is to create a thermodynamic model that incorporates the effects of steam condensation, steam injection, and heating failures to describe the transient behaviour of temperature and pressure in pressure vessels containing single-phase and two-phase fluids. To account for nonlinear, temperature-dependent steam properties, as well as initial and boundary constraints, the study proposes energy balance models for hot water and saturated steam cases. Numerical simulations evaluating sensitivity to parameter changes are presented alongside analytical solutions for isochoric and isobaric systems. The model also includes direct steam injection heating and the use of a heat exchanger. It explains the changes in temperature and pressure that occur in thermal energy storage systems over time, including significant events such as steam cushion collapse and condensate drainage. According to the sensitivity analysis, the main factors influencing the system’s safety limitations and transient dynamic phenomena are thermal power, heat exchanger capacity, and thermal insulation efficiency. The proposed thermodynamic model closes a major gap in the literature by providing reliable predictions of the transient behavior needed for the safe design and reliable operation of pressure vessels utilized for heat storage in district heating networks. This model can be used by engineers and researchers to optimize system design and steer clear of risky operational situations.