Experimental and Analytical Investigation of Thermal Energy Storage System for Automotive Applications

Driving with an engine in winter increases fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in automobiles. A latent heat thermal energy storage (TES) device has been designed, constructed and tested to investigate waste heat recovery and reduction of engine warm-up time. Different thermal insulation methods were tested to select a proper one that could minimize heat loss from the TES during energy storage under a below freezing ambient temperature. Heat discharging tests were then conducted with the TES system. Two analytical models were developed to simulate the heat transport processes. An unsteady heat balance model was set up and solved to simulate the temperature profiles. Both the experimental and model simulation results demonstrated the potential of the TES device for use in engine warm-up during a winter season. Further model development and validation using laboratory and field test data would contribute to the development of commercial TES products in the future.M.A.S