General modeling approach: one-equation thermal model and coupled Navier–Stokes solution
The one-equation approach to the energy balance is presented here. This modeling approach is also referred to as a ‘one-phase’ model where the bed is reasonably approximated as a quasi- homogeneous medium [24]. This approach assumes thermal equilibrium between the fluid and solid phases, which is reasonable for the materials and conditions considered here. The model also assumes no intra-particle temperature gradients, which is important in energy storage applications [29]. Based on previous results with a-alumina and air [13], estimates for the heat transfer coefficient show the Biot number (Bi=hLc/k) satisfies Bi < 0.1. Limitations to this approach and a more detailed analysis of thermal equilibrium and the Biot number are discussed in a later section. The overall thermal model considers heat transfer in a porous media/packed bed domain and in the solid domains of the vessel and insulation.
The velocities and pressure drop in the packed bed are also solved. The generalized Navier–Stokes equations are considered with a velocity-dependent body force accounting for viscous and inertial losses within the porous medium [30–32]. The viscous and inertial coefficients are constants calculated by Ergun [26,33] and then applied before the simulation is run. The one-equation thermal model is coupled to the Navier–Stokes solution of the domain through the porous region. The velocity and pressure results are not presented here as no experimental data was collected for these.
2.1. One-equation thermal model for a packed bed
The one-equation packed bed model uses an energy balance based on equivalent properties [34]. In the packed bed domain, the equations are: