An Enthalpy Formulation for Thermocline With Encapsulated PCM Thermal Storage and Benchmark Solution Using the Method of Characteristics

An enthalpy-based model of thermocline operation general to both single phase and encapsulated phase change filler materials was created in MATLAB. The method of characteristics is applied in space and time, mapping fluid temperature and filler enthalpy to a numerical grid, and in the case of a melting filler, allowing accurate tracking of phase state interfaces to fractional positions of the grid. Careful consideration of various possible heat transfer conditions along with placement of phase state interfaces in the numerical grid allows for extreme versatility and accuracy in model application. Input of specific fluid and filler properties, tank size, time of operation, and initial and boundary conditions returns a full representation to any desired amount of charge/discharge processes or cycles. The paper covers mathematical formulation, certain intricacies of numerical implementation, model verification, and the beginnings of application to prove proper operation and generality.