Generalized heat flow model of a forced air electric thermal storage heater core

Abstract

Electric thermal storage (ETS) devices can be used for grid demand load-leveling and off-peak domestic space heating (DSH). A high-resolution three-dimensional finite element model of a forced air ETS heater core is developed and employed to create a general charge/discharge model. The effects of thermal gradients, air flow characteristics, material properties, and core geometry are simulated. A simplified general stove discharge model with a single time constant is presented based on the results of the numerical simulations. This simplified model may be used to stimulate economic/performance case studies for cold climate communities interested in distributed thermal energy storage.