Thermal Resistance Network Model for Heat Pipe - PCM Based Cool Storage for Air Cooled Condenser Systems

A robust system configuration is determined to integrate an innovative heat pipe – PCM based cool storage system as supplemental indirect dry cooling for air cooled condenser power plants. Due to the complexity of the full scale system, a unique thermal resistance network model is developed for the optimization of component design parameters. The optimization process is used to determine design parameters that are optimal with respect to both system thermal performance and overall capital cost. The development of this design tool is necessary to obtain practical thermal performance and capital cost information given an energy storage capacity requirement. Validation of the model is done through comparison with numerical modeling. A Techno-Economic Analysis is completed to understand the technology's value in the market compared to standard air cooled condenser systems. This project is funded through the ARPA-e program and it is a collaboration between Advanced Cooling Technologies, Inc., Lehigh University, and the University of Missouri.