Compact thermal energy storage: design, develop and experimentally characterise small laboratory scale thermal energy stores

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Project Detail:
Thermal energy storage can be used in a wide range of applications including, space heating and cooling, industrial processes and power generation. Each application generally requires heat/coolth to be stored to correspond to a different process dependent temperature. In many cases available space for the thermal energy storage system and associated ancillary services is limited, this requires that the thermal energy storage systems is compact. If heat storage is required over a restricted temperature range phase change materials (PCMs) may offer significant advantages in terms of storage energy density due to the high enthalpy of phase change, however many PCMs have low thermal conductivity and effective heat transfer to and from the PCM to achieve required rates of charge and discharge may be difficult.

This project aims to design, develop and experimentally characterise small laboratory scale thermal energy stores at temperatures appropriate to medium temperature industrial processes and power generation, 120-400⁰C. The research to be undertaken will require detailed modelling of heat transfer and fluid flow within the developed store design, material selection /development and thermal property characterisation, and design and experimental characterisation of laboratory system prototypes. Design of effective heat exchange systems and PCM conductivity enhancement measures will be a key factor in achieving high discharge rates. Based on experimental measurements and detailed model results a simplified store system model will be developed to allow parametric analysis to be performed to predict performance over a range of process operating conditions. Excellent laboratory facilities for characterisation of material thermal properties and small scale store prototype testing are available at CREST.

Find out more:
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/research/crest/

Entry requirements:
Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2:1 Honours degree (or equivalent) in Engineering, Physics or a related subject. A relevant Master’s degree and/or experience in one or more of the following will be an advantage: numerical modelling, heat transfer, CFD, experimental design.

Funding information:
This project is funded through a Loughborough University CALIBRE studentship

Benefits of this studentship include:
• A tax-free stipend of £14,553 per annum for 3 years.
• Tuition fees at the UK/EU rate, for 3 years.
• The students will be part of the Energy Research Accelerator (ERA) cohort of students and will benefit from the cohort offering

International (non EU) students may apply however the total value of the studentship will be used towards the cost of the International tuition fee in the first instance.

Contact details:
Professor Philip Eames, [Email Address Removed], 01509635347

How to apply:
All applications should be made online at http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/apply/research/. Please quote the reference ‘PEGC201703’ on all correspondence and especially on the application form. Please ensure that you select ‘Electronic, Electrical & Systems Engineering’’ under ‘Programme Name’ on the application form.

Start date: October 2017
Closing date: 01/05/2017
Interview date: 17/05/2017
Reference: PEGC201703

Primary supervisor: Philip Eames
Secondary supervisor: Gianfranco Claudio