They were selected two paraffins and two hydrated salts, for the hot PCM tanks (HTES), two paraffins and two hydrated salts for the cold tanks (CTES) and two paraffins and two hydrated salt for the DWH tanks (DHW-PCM). They were also selected three paraffins for the PCM in BHEs, one per demo site according with the soil temperature and operating modes. The PCM is introduced in the BHE in encapsulation.
It was developed new nano-composite enhanced paraffins PCM (NEPCM) in order to improve its low thermal conductivity and enhance the overall heat transfer performance without compromising heat of fusion. The A44 with 6% weight of nano-particles presents an increase in thermal conductivity of about 50%. For A53 the thermal conductivity is increased 100% for 1% weight and almost 250% at 6% weight fraction. Similar conclusion were obtained for A58. For A15 the thermal conductivity is increased 44% for 3% weight and 100% at 4% weight fraction. It was also solved the problem of particles sedimentation using ultrasonic agitation.
It was developed of a protective and inexpensive thin film coating against the corrosivity of salt-hydrates to the heat exchanger (HE). The coated HE is not attacked by the PCM and in addition it exhibits better performances due to the very high thermal conductivity of the coating.
They were designed, optimized and developed of compact modular TES tanks including a high performance HE. A numerical analysis was be conducted via Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) (Fig. 3) and Finite Element Analysis. Compatibility between thermoplastic materials with the paraffin based PCMs was solve applying a coating with a special epoxy resin.
In hydrated salt tanks an appropriate geometry has been developed to ensure the stability of the hydrated salts over time. The HTES, CTES and DHW tanks pre-prototypes using paraffins and hydrated salts were developed and tested in laboratory and based on those results the prototypes that were installed in the demo sites were developed (Fig. 4 and Fig. 5). The performance of the tanks were validated and demonstrated in the demo sites (Fig. 6 and Fig. 7).
It was developed of a self-learning smart model-based control system for efficient TESSe2b operation. The smart model-based control system has been validated and demonstrated in the three demo sites.
Demonstration, on-site monitoring and technology validation of prototypes of a single building in three pilot sites, was performed.
A European market study it was developed. An Exploitation Plan was developed on the basis of KER (Key Exploitable Result) methodology. Is was identified 9 KER and it was submitted one patent application and it is in preparation other patent application.
A project communication and dissemination plan was prepared. It was organized the TESSe2b conference and eight TESS2b Workshops with B2B meetings with industry, visits for each demo site cooperation with other European projects, they were produced flyers, brochures, and newsletters, videos, news through the media, technical and scientific publications and communications.