Renewable Energy 132 (2019) 826e845

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Renewable Energy
journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/renene

Analytical considerations on optimization of cascaded heat transfer

process for thermal storage system with principles of
thermodynamics
H.J. Xu a, *, C.Y. Zhao a, b
a
China-UK Low Carbon College, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
b
Institute of Engineering Thermophysics, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China

a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t

Article history: Cascaded Thermal Storage (CTS) technique is an efficient solution for storing solar thermal energy of high
Received 3 March 2018 quality. In this paper, heat transfer rate and thermodynamic irreversibility are combined for optimizing
Accepted 29 July 2018 cascaded PCM thermal storage system based on entransy and entropy. Optimal solutions for temperature
Available online 3 August 2018
of CTS unit are obtained based on entransy and entropy, which cannot only present a benchmark for
similar research, but also be used for guiding phase change material (PCM) selection of multi-PCM
Keywords:
thermal storage device. Limitations for entransy and entropy optimizations are put forward, and
Cascaded thermal storage
comprehensively analyzed. A parametric study is performed for the optimal thermal performance. The
PCM
Thermodynamics
optimal PCM temperature based on entropy is geometric while that based on entransy is linearly
Optimization distributed. By increasing stage number or heat transfer parameter, optimal performances for optimi-
Heat transfer zations of entransy and entropy are promoted. Results show that thermal efficiency in entransy opti-
mization is greater than that in entropy optimization while the exergy efficiency in entropy optimization
is superior to that of entransy optimization. Stage number should be adjusted by balancing earnings and
costs for cascaded design of thermal storage system. Heat transfer enhancement is essential for per-
formance promotion of cascaded system and selection of optimization principles.
© 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

1. Introduction energy is a promising thermal storage method due to its isothermal

Thermal energy nearly exists in all kinds of renewable and in-
dustrial energies, and more than 80% of energy needs to be con-
verted to thermal energy for the final utilization. The supply and
the demand of thermal energy are usually matchless for utilization,
and thermal storage is required for balancing thermal supply and
demand, which owns great potential in solar thermal energy [1],
waste heat recovery [2], utilization of cryogenic energy in liquified
natural gas [3], electric peak shaving [4], and so on. Taking solar
thermal energy as an example, the solar thermal storage system is
an important module for various cases, such as solar thermal uti-
lization for buildings, solar concentrated thermal collection, cooling
of high heat flux solar cells, and solar thermal power plant. These
practical applications inspire the relevant research on thermal
storage. Using phase change materials (PCM) to store thermal
* Corresponding author.
E-mail addresses: xuhuijin@sjtu.edu.cn, hjxu1015@gmail.com (H.J. Xu).
process, relatively high energy storage density, and good stability of
PCM.
Latent thermal storage with PCM is not widely used in engi-
neering due to its technical barriers. Low PCM thermal conductiv-
ities (<2 W/(m$K)) [5] lead to the poor heat transfer performance of
thermal storage. Many heat transfer enhancement techniques are
proposed for improving PCM thermal performance, such as
expanded graphite [6], fins [7], encapsulation of PCM [8], heat pipe
assisted device [9], highly conductive additives [10], and porous
metals [11]. The PCM charging rate can be substantially increased
with heat transfer enhancement, but PCM volume and stored heat
are obviously decreased. After enhancing heat transfer, PCM ther-
mal storage device still has a thermal efficiency limit. The thermal
efficiency of single-stage latent thermal storage is very lower,
which can be overcome by utilizing cascaded system of multi-PCM.
Adebiyi et al. [12] theoretically investigated the high-temperature
cascaded latent thermal storage system and found thermal effi-
ciency of cascaded system is 13e16% higher than that of single-
stage system. Peiro et al. [13] established a pilot test rig for

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2018.07.135
0960-1481/© 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
 H.J. Xu, C.Y. Zhao / Renewable Energy 132 (2019) 826e845 827

Nomenclature x Lagrange multipler, K

s Lagrange multipler, K1
A Heat transfer area, m2 4 Entransy dissipation rate, W$K
cp Heat capacity at constant pressure, J$kg1 $K1 F The fixed entransy dissipation rate in entransy
C Heat transfer parameter, dimensionless optimization, W$K
E Entransy, J$K U The fixed entropy generation rate in entropy
e Specific entransy, J$K$kg 1 generation, W$K1
Ex Exergy flow, W
m Mass flow rate, kg$s1 Subscripts
n Stage number e Environment
NTU Number of heat transfer units, dimensionless E Entransy
Q Heat transfer rate, W Ex Exergy
R Thermal resistance, m2 $K$W1 m Melting
max Maximum
S Entropy, J$K1
min Minimum
Sg The entropy generation rate, W$K1
opt Optimal
s Specific entropy, J$kg1 $K1
rev Reversible
T Temperature, K
S Entropy
T0 Inlet temperature, K
tot Total
Te Environment temperature, K
w Wall
U The overall heat transfer coefficient, W$m2 $K1
X Dimensionless position along HTF flow path,
Acronym
dimensionless
CTS Cascaded Thermal Storage
EDR Entransy Dissipation Rate
Greek symbols
EGR Entropy Generation Rate
a Temperature ratio, dimensionless
HTR Heat Transfer Rate
q The dimensionless temperature, dimensionless
HTF Heat Transfer Fluid
d Thickness, m
NTU Number of heat Transfer Units
Q The fixed heat transfer rate, W
PCM Phase Change Material(s)
l Lagrange multipler, K1
m Lagrange multipler, K

cascaded PCM thermal storage system with some experimental
data provided, and found that the thermal performance of two-
stage unit is superior to that of single-stage unit. Compared with
the single-stage unit, the cascaded design is beneficial for
improving heat transfer driving force [14], quickening charging rate
[15], extending operational temperature band [16], promoting
thermal efficiency [17], and providing multi-grade thermal en-
ergies [18].
Applications of multi-PCM thermal storage concept has been
explored in solar thermal utilization [19e21], thermal management
of electronics [22], and waste heat recovery [23]. The concept of
multi-PCM was proposed by Farid and Kansawa [24,25] via theo-
retical/experimental investigations on multi-PCM thermal storage,
and it was indicated that appropriate PCM combination can effec-
tively improve the exergy efficiency. Afterwards, lots of scholars put
their focuses on CTS with multi-PCM. Watanabe et al. [15] per-
formed experimental and theoretical study for a three-stage
tubular latent thermal storage device, and found that the
cascaded design of thermal storage system can obviously improve
the heat transfer rate (HTR). Gong and Mujumdar [14] performed a
1D heat transfer modeling for CTS, and analyzed effects of PCM
temperature distribution, PCM thermos-physical properties and
boundary conditions on heat transfer. It was shown that keeping
the steady and reversible state can obviously improve the thermal
efficiency. Shaikh and Lafdi [26] numerically simulated the 2D
multi-PCM system with the finite volume method, and indicated
that the cascaded design can obviously enhance the heat transfer.
Seeniraj and Narasimhan [27] conducted the numerical investiga-
tion on thermal performance of solar latent thermal storage mod-
ule with fins and multi-PCM, and found that multi-PCM can
promote thermal storage rate and homogenize the outlet temper-
ature of heat transfer fluid (HTF). Michels and Pitz-Paal [19] did an
experimental study on three-stage thermal storage device for
parabolic solar thermal power plant and pointed out two main
problems: (1) low latent heat and serious corrosivity of PCM, and
(2) the expected higher thermal conductivity of PCM. Heat transfer
enhancement of CTS is especially critical for bettering thermal
performance from the previous study [28]. Some heat transfer
enhancement methods are integrated into CTS unit, including
metal foams [29], fins [27], carbon nanomaterials doped in PCM
[22], gravity-assisted heat pipes [30], and so on. Aldoss and Rahman
[31] performed a numerical study for thermal storage systems of
different stage numbers (n ¼ 1, 2, 3) and found that thermal per-
formance is promoted with the increased stage number. But ther-
mal performance of CTS is nearly unchanged when the stage
number is greater than 3. All these numerical results show that
practical benefits can be obtained by employing cascaded design in
thermal storage system. Other researches for cascaded PCM ther-
mal storage are focused on direct contact thermal storage [32], slab
configurations [26], comparison between single-PCM and multi-
PCM [13,31,33], cascaded cylinders encapsulating multi-PCM
[34,35], cascaded cold storage [36], cyclic behavior of charging/
discharging processes [37,38], and experimental detection [39].
Wang et al. [40] theoretically studied the heat transfer process of
a multi-PCM thermal storage system by assuming the distribution
of PCM phase change temperatures. Kousksou et al. [21] performed
numerical study on single-PCM and multi-PCM thermal storage
systems by neglecting the convection in PCM. It was shown that
thermal performance of CTS system can be improved by selecting
more appropriating phase change temperatures of PCM. Thus,
828 H.J. Xu, C.Y. Zhao / Renewable Energy 132 (2019) 826e845
thermodynamic optimization is required for determining the
optimal phase transformation points of multi-PCM, which is useful
for system design and numerical prediction.
Up to now, there have been two types of basic principles for
thermal storage optimization: entropy and entransy. Exergy
maximum principle (least exergy loss principle) based on entropy
theory has been frequently employed. Yet, most studies for CTS are
based on entropy theory (including exergy) [41]. Lim et al. [17]
performed exergy optimization of thermal storage system with two
or more PCM, and indicated that multi-PCM effectively reduces the
irreversible loss, and improves the exergy efficiency. Watanabe and
Kanzawa [42] optimized CTS device based on the second law of
thermodynamics, and found the optimal distribution of PCM
phase-change temperature is beneficial for maintaining higher
HTR. Gong et al. [43] performed exergy optimization for heat
storage/release processes, and obtained the optimization solutions
for specific stage number (n ¼ 1, 2, and 5). Xu and Zhao [44,45]
optimized the phase change temperature of PCM in a CTS system of
steady case and unsteady case by adopting the entropy principle
(including exergy).
The entransy concept was put forward in Guo et al. [46], which
means the thermal potential of an object to transfer heat to others
[47] for heat transfer between two objects with finite temperature
difference. Entransy is defined as the production of the internal
energy and the temperature for an object. The internal energy is
conservative in a heat transfer process with finite-temperature
difference, but the entransy always dissipates, which is the
entransy dissipation. The entransy dissipation is treated as one
means to quantitively measure the heat transfer irreversibility.
There has been some disagreements for the concept of entransy
[48,49]. But these articles did not perform detailed analysis and
provide the optimization results for practical problems. Oliveira
et al. [50] used the entransy and the entropy generation to optimize
several basic heat transfer problems, and indicated that these two
concepts are equivalent. Yet, Wu and Guo [51] made a response to
their conclusion [50], and stated that entransy and entropy are
different for different thermodynamic optimizations. Entransy has
been extended to many heat transfer problems, such as heat con-
duction [52], heat convection [53], heat storage [54], thermal ra-
diation [55], and heat exchanger design [56]. The definition of
entransy can be found from Ref. [57] for a fluid flow system. For CTS
with multi-PCM, there have been some publications based on
entransy concept. Tao et al. [58] performed numerical simulation
and entransy optimization for single-stage and two-stage PCM
thermal storage system. Guo and Huai [59] employed the entransy
to analyze the thermal performance of a three-tank latent heat
storage device with solid nitrade, and pointed out that the tem-
perature difference plays a key role on the storage system perfor-
mance. Xu and Zhao [18,45] used the entransy concept to optimize
the CTS system with steady and unsteady heat sources. Liu and Tao
[60] used the entransy theory to analyze the CTS unit with the
unsteady inlet temperature of HTF, and found that the increased
fluctuation of inlet HTF temperature results in the increased dif-
ference between steady and unsteady results. Wang and Zhu [61]
performed an entransy analysis for a two-PCM heat charging/dis-
charging system and found that the optimal HTR of charging/dis-
charging mode is less than that of charging-only mode. Wang et al.
[54] performed the analysis of the entransy dissipation-based
thermal resistance for the multi-PCM thermal system of a 2D
array, and indicated that the uniformity of heat storage rate plays a
key role in the latent heat storage system.
There are two purposes for thermal storage: storing useful work,
and storing the heating/cooling ability. Since the optimization
principle is critical for PCM filtration, the purposes for optimiza-
tions of entransy and entropy in CTS system needs to be specified.
In addition, limitation conditions for the existence of the thermo-
dynamic optimization solutions should be made clear. Even though
CTS system has many advantages, it can also increase the heat
transfer units, auxiliary device number, heat exchanger volume,
system cost, and operational risks. The heat transfer enhancement
is also an essential factor for CTS unit. These aspects will be
analyzed in this article. As an extension analysis of our previous
work [18,44], this work provides basic considerations, an in-depth
analysis, a detailed analytical procedure, general qualifications for
entransy and entropy optimizations, and a comprehensive com-
parason between entransy and entropy for optimizing CTS system.
2. Problem and modeling
2.1. The CTS system with arbitrary stage number
The CTS system of arbitrary stage number with multi-PCM is
shown in Fig. 1, in which thermal energy of HTF is transferred to
multi-PCM stage by stage. The environment is denoted as Te . HTF
with constant inlet temperature T0 flows through the multi-PCM
units and exchanges heat with these PCM one by one. The phase
change temperatures of the PCM ðTm1 ; Tm2 ; :::; Tmn Þ in this system
vary monotonically along the flow path of HTF. As shown in Fig. 1,
the temperatures in each cross-section of the channel are respec-
tively T1 ; T2 ; :::; Tn for HTF.
In thermal storage, values of state parameters, including
entransy and entropy, are also transferred between HTF and PCM,
that is, entransy and entropy can also be stored. In Fig. 2, the
schematic diagram of entropy storage and entransy storage in the
cascaded heat transfer process is presented. For heat storage, the
directions of entransy flow and entropy flow are both from HTF to
PCM, while those are from PCM to HTF for cold storage. The storage
of thermal energy is synchronized with the storages of entropy and
entransy. Entropy production occurs in entropy storage, and the
entransy dissipation exists for storing entransy. Entropy generation
and entransy dissipation always occur, which shows that the
quality of thermal energy drops in thermal storage process.
2.2. Heat transfer process
For the above problem, some assumptions are employed for the
mathematical model. (1) The thermos-physical properties are
temperature-independent and the pressure variations in PCM and
HTF are neglected, which is reasonable for small variations in
temperature, pressure and volume of PCM and HTF. (2) Values of
NTU (number of heat transfer unit) for all stages are equal, which is
used for theoretical analysis of the present problem. (3) In each
stage, the temperature difference in the PMC is ignored and the
cross-sectional temperature of HTF is uniform. Since thermal
PCM Tm1 Tm2 ... Tmi ... Tm,n-1 Tmn
T0 T1 T2 Ti-1 Ti Tn-2 Tn-1 Tn
HTF
PCM Tm1 Tm2 ... Tmi ... Tm,n-1 Tmn
Environment temperature Te
Fig. 1. CTS system with constant inlet HTF temperature.
 H.J. Xu, C.Y. Zhao / Renewable Energy 132 (2019) 826e845 829

zero according to the Clausius equation, indicating that the entropy

is conservative for arbitrary reversible circle. Yet, the entropy is
PCMs Tmi i=1,Ă,n non-conservative in the practical irreversible circle from Clausius
inequation, always leading to an entropy generation. The practical
Sstore Estore heat transfer with finite temperature difference is just an irre-
versible process with entropy generation. For an open system, the
Sg Ed equation of entropy generation rate (EGR) can be presented as

Q Sg ¼
dS
þ mðs2  s1 Þ 
Q
(5)
dt Tsource
Tin Sflow
Tout
Eflow where the first term represents the entropy accumulation, the term
mðs2  s1 Þ is entropy flow via mass transfer, and the last term
Sin Sout stands for entropy flow via heat transfer. The entropy change of the
HTF m cp working fluid in an open system from state 1 to state 2 can be
Ein Eout
presented as

T2 p
s2  s1 ¼ cp ln  Rg ln 2 (6)
Environment temperature Te T1 p1
Due to the constant pressure, the EGR in the i-th stage can be
Fig. 2. Schematic diagram for the storage of entropy and entransy when storing heat.
expressed as

T mcp ðTi1  Ti Þ
conductivities of most PCM are not sufficiently large, this hypoth- Sg;i ¼ mcp ln i þ
Ti1 Tmi
esis is based on the sufficient heat transfer of thermal storage unit, ( )
which is very essential for quickening the HTR and condensing the Ti ðC  1Þ2 Ti1 C1
¼ mcp ln þ  (7)
thermal storage time. Since the temperature difference in the PCM Ti1 C CTi  Ti1 C
is neglected, the lump parameter method is used for the mathe-
matical modeling of CTS. (4) As an inherent feature of PCM, the The total entropy generation of the CTS system can be obtained
sensible heat is far less than the latent heat for PCM. as
Based on these assumptions, basic equations can be mathe- ( )
matically obtained for the cascaded heat transfer process. For the Xn
Ti ðC  1Þ2 Ti1 C1
Sg ¼ mcp ln þ  (8)
charging process, the energy conservation equation is written as
i¼1
Ti1 C CTi  Ti1 C



Ti1  Tm;i  Ti  Tm;i
mcp ðTi1  Ti Þ ¼ Ui Ai Ti1 Tm;i
(1)
ln Ti Tm;i
2.4. Entransy analysis
The phase-change temperature for the i-th stage of the CTS
system can be expressed with the charging fluid temperature as The entransy concept proposed by Guo et al. [46] is also a state
parameter that describing heat potential of a system, and the
CTi  Ti1
Tm;i ¼ (2a) entransy in an infinitesimal process can be presented as
C1

where the heat transfer parameter (C) is defined as

dE ¼ T$dQ rev (9)
  The driving force of entropy is 1=T, but that of entransy is DT due
UA to T$dQ rev ¼ Q rev $dT. Entransy and entropy are two parameters of
C ¼ expðNTUÞ ¼ exp (2b)
mcp different principles for thermodynamic optimization, leading to
The overall HTR for all the stages is presented as different optimization results of thermodynamics and different
operation modes for thermophysics. In a fluid flow system, the
X
n entransy can be defined as [57].
Qtot ¼ Qi ¼ mcp jTn  T0 j (3)
i¼1 1
E¼ mcp T 2 (10)
2
From Eq. (4) and Eq. (9), it is manifested that entropy and
2.3. Entropy analysis entransy have different expressions and physical meanings. From
Fig. 2, entropy and entransy are stored in the thermal storage
As a state parameter directly related with the second law of process. The entransy loss always occurs in a heat transfer process
thermodynamics, entropy is a critical criterion for predicting irre- with finite temperature difference, which is called entransy dissi-
versibility in a thermodynamic process. For an infinitesimal pro- pation. In analogy with entropy, the equation of entransy dissipa-
cess, the entropy change can be expressed with the temperature tion rate (EDR) can be presented as
and the heat transfer with the heat source, as X X X
4¼ Qi Tsource;i $Dt þ me$Dt  me$Dt  ðEtþDt  Et Þ
dQ rev i in out
dS ¼ (4) (11)
T
The loop integral of the entropy in an ideal reversible circle is For a simple open system, EDR is obtained from entransy
830 H.J. Xu, C.Y. Zhao / Renewable Energy 132 (2019) 826e845

balance equation of flow and heat transfer. The above conditions should be followed in optimization of CTS
system.
dE
4¼ þ mðe1  e2 Þ þ QTsource (12)
dt 3. Thermodynamic optimizations

where terms in RHS of above equation are respectively entransy Entropy generation and entransy dissipation always occur in
accumulation, entransy flow via mass transfer and entransy flow thermal storage, which means that the quality of thermal energy is
via heat transfer. Entransy balance equation for the i-th stage is degraded. To maintain the relatively higher energy quality, the
difference between HTF temperature and the PCM temperature
mei1 ¼ mei þ Qi Tmi þ 4i 1in (13)
should be minimized in thermal storage. However, the heat transfer
The EDR of the i-th stage unit is obtained as representing the heat quantity is positively correlated with the
temperature difference between HTF and PCM. This irreconcilable
1 Cþ1 contradiction between quality and quantity of thermal storage
4i ¼ mcp ðT  Ti Þ2 1in (14)
2 C  1 i1 leads to the optimal result in CTS system with HTF and multi-PCM.
The overall EDR is presented as In this condition, the HTR representing the thermal storage time
and the thermal storage irreversibility associated with the thermal
" #
1 Xn
Cþ1 2
energy quality can be combined to implement the optimization.
4 ¼ mcp ðT  Ti Þ (15) EGR and EDR are used for predicting the thermal storage irre-
2 i¼1
C  1 i1
versibility. With the Lagrange multiplier method, the Lagrange
function is established for optimization by combining heat transfer
irreversibility with HTR of cascaded heat transfer process. Optimal
solutions of temperatures of PCM and HTF are obtained by solving
the Lagrange equations. Existence conditions of optimal solutions
2.5. Basic considerations
need to be analyzed in the practical thermal storage. The schematic
of the optimization process for CTS can be found in Fig. 3.
The phase change temperatures of PCM must be monotonically
distributed in multi-PCM system for heat/cold storage, respectively
3.1. Optimizing HTR with constant EGR
expressed as

Heat storage : Tm;1 > Tm;2 > ::: > Tm;i1 > Tm;i > Tm;iþ1 > ::: > Tm;n > Te Treating HTR as objective function and EGR as constraint, the
Lagrange function is obtained as
(16a)


FS ðT1 ; T2 ; :::; Tn ; hÞ ¼ Qtot þ x Sg;tot  U
Cold storage : Tm;1 < Tm;2 < ::: < Tm;i1 < Tm;i < Tm;iþ1 < ::: < Tm;n < Te ( "
X
n
Ti
(16b) ¼ mcp ðT0  Tn Þ þ x mcp ln
i¼1
Ti1
The HTF temperature for heat/cold storage can be respectively # )
2
ðC  1Þ Ti1 C 1
presented as þ  U (19)
C CTi  Ti1 C
Heat storage : T0 > T1 > ::: > Ti1 > Ti > Tiþ1 > ::: > Tn > Tm;n > Te
The Lagrange equation containing all the variables is presented
(17a)
as

8 " #
>
> ðC  1Þ2 ðC  1Þ2
>
> xmcp  ðCT  T Þ2 Ti1 þ ðCT
> T
2 iþ1
¼0 1in1
vFS < i i1 iþ1  Ti Þ
¼ ( " # ) (20a)
vTi >
>
>
> 1 ðC  1Þ2
>
: mcp x  T 1 ¼0 i¼n
Ti ðCTi  Ti1 Þ2 i1

Cold storage : T0 > T1 > ::: > Ti1 > Ti > Tiþ1 > ::: > Tn > Tm;n > Te
(17b)
Relationships between temperatures of PCM and HTF for heat/ vFS
¼ Sg;tot  U
cold storage are vx
( )
Xn
Ti ðC  1Þ2 Ti1 C1
Heat storage : Ti1 > Ti > Tm;i 1in (18a) ¼ mcp ln þ  U¼0
i¼1
Ti1 C CTi  Ti1 C
(20b)
Cold storage : Ti1 < Ti < Tm;i 1in (18b)
The simplified Lagrange equation is
 H.J. Xu, C.Y. Zhao / Renewable Energy 132 (2019) 826e845 831

8 !2 !2 1 T0 an
> Tiþ1;opt CTiþ1;opt  Ti;opt Tm;iþ1;opt xopt ¼ ¼ (22b)
> ðC1Þ2 Tn1;opt 2
>
> ¼ ¼ 1i n1 1  1  ðC1Þ a2
>
> T CTi;opt  Ti1;opt Tm;i;opt Tn;opt
ðCTn;opt Tn1;opt Þ
2
ðC a1Þ
< i1;opt
> 1
>
> xopt ¼ i¼n
>
> 1 ðC  1Þ2 Ti;opt ¼ T0 ai 1in (22c)
>
: 
T
2 i1;opt
Ti;opt CTi;opt  Ti1;opt
(21a) T0 ai1 ðC a  1Þ
Tm;i;opt ¼ 1in (22d)
C1
( )
X
n
Ti;opt ðC  1Þ2 Ti1;opt C1
Sg;tot ¼ mcp ln þ  _ p T0 ai1 ða  1Þ
Qi;opt ¼ mc 1in (22e)
Ti1;opt C CTi;opt  Ti1;opt C
i¼1
¼U ( )
ðC  1Þ2 1 C1
(21b) Sg;i;opt ¼ mcp ln a þ  (22f)
C Ca  1 C
The above Lagrange equation owns no exact solution and must
be solved numerically. The approximate solution of the above In Eq. (22a), the signs ‘þ’ and ‘-’ are respectively for cold storage
equation is and heat storage. With an increase in fixed EGR or a decrease in
stage number, the temperature ratio gradually decreases for heat
! sffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
 ffi storage and increases for cold storage. Based on the Lagrange
Ti;opt 1 U U 1 U Cþ1 equation, all the second order partial differential derivatives of the
aa;b ¼ ¼1þ ± þ
Ti1;opt 2 nmcp nmcp 4 nmcp C Lagrange function is established as
a;b
(22a)

8 " #(
>
> CðC  1Þ2 ðC  1Þ2 < 0 heat storage
>
> 2 xmc T þ T 1in1
> p i1 iþ1
v2 FS <
3 3
ðCTi  Ti1 Þ ðCTiþ1  Ti Þ > 0 cold storage
¼ " #( (23a)
vTi 2 >
> < 0 heat storage
>
> 1 2CðC  1Þ2 Ti1
>
: xmcp  2 þ 3
i¼n
Ti ðCTi  Ti1 Þ > 0 cold storage

v2 FS
¼0 (23b)
Establishment of Lagrange function vx2
(1) Selecting evaluation principles The objective function is positive for heat storage and negative
for cold storage. Thus, the maximum value of absolute HTR can be
(2) Calculating thermodynamic irreversibility
presented as
(3) Combining irreversibility with heat transfer rate
jQ jmax ¼ ±mcp T0 ðan  1Þ (24)
If the thermal resistance between HTF and PCM is negligible, the
Exploration of the optimal solution optimal solutions of the approximate temperature ratio, the
Lagrange multiplier, the PCM temperature, and the local EGR are
(1) Establishment of Lagrange equation derived as
(2) Analytical/numerical solution ! sffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
 ffi
Ti;opt 1 U U 1 U
(3) Calculating optimal parameters and performance aa;b ¼ ¼1þ ± þ1
Ti1;opt 2 nmcp nmcp 4 nmcp
a;b
(25a)

Existence condition of the solution

1 T0 an
(1) Determining the physical problem qualification xopt ¼ ¼ (25b)
1 
ðC1Þ2 Tn1;opt 1  1a
Tn;opt 2
(2) Connecting optimal solution with qualification ðCTn;opt Tn1;opt Þ

(3) Exploring scope of the optimization condition

Tm;i;opt ¼ T0 ai 1in (25c)
Fig. 3. Schematic of the optimization procedure for CTS system.
832 H.J. Xu, C.Y. Zhao / Renewable Energy 132 (2019) 826e845

 
1
_ p ln a þ  1
Sg;i;opt ¼ mc (25d)
a
 ni
Q
Ti;opt ¼ T0 1  1in (28c)
mcp T0
3.2. Optimizing EGR with constant HTR

When we use the total EGR as the objective function and the
total HTR as the constraint, the Lagrange function can be presented
i i1
as
T0 C 1  mcQp T0  1  mcQp T0
n n

Tm;i;opt ¼ 1in (28d)

GS ðT1 ; T2 ; :::; Tn ; lÞ ¼ Sg;tot þ sðQtot  QÞ C1
(
Xn
T ðC  1Þ2 Ti1
¼ mcp ln i þ
Ti1 C CTi  Ti1
i¼1
)
C1  
 þ s mcp ðT0  Tn Þ  Q  i1 " 1 #
C Q n Q n
Qi;opt ¼ mcp T0 1  1 1 1in
(26) mcp T0 mcp T0

The Lagrange function is obtained as

(28e)

8 " #
>
> ðC  1Þ2 ðC  1Þ2
>
> mcp  ðCT  T Þ2 Ti1 þ ðCT
> T
2 iþ1
¼0 1in1
vGS < i i1 iþ1  Ti Þ
¼ " # (27a)
vTi >
>
>
> 1 ðC  1Þ2
>
: mcp  T s ¼0 i¼n
Ti ðCTi  Ti1 Þ2 i1

8
vGS >
<1  
¼ mcp ðT0  Tn Þ  Q ¼ 0 (27b) Q ðC  1Þ2 1
vs Sg;i ¼ mcp ln 1  þ
>
:n mcp T0 C 1

C 1  mcQp T0
n
Optimal values of the Lagrange multiplier, the temperature ra- 1
tio, the HTF temperature, and the PCM temperature in the opti- 9
>
mization solution can be obtained in the following. C  1=
 1
C >
;
1 ðC  1Þ2 Tn1;opt
sopt ¼ 
2 in
Tn;opt CTn;opt  Tn1;opt
8 1 9 (28f)
>
< ðC  1Þ2 1  mcQp T0
n >
=
mcp From Eq. (28b), with an increase in absolute HTR ðjQjÞ, the value
¼ 1 (28a)
mcp T0  Q >
: 1 2>
; of a is decreased for heat storage and increased for cold storage.
C 1  mcQp T0  1
n

With an increase in fixed EGR, the temperature ratio gradually

decreases for heat storage and increases for cold storage. A set of
second order partial differential derivatives for the Lagrange func-
 1  1n
Tn;opt n Q tion is
a¼ ¼ 1 (28b)
T0 mcp T0

8 " #
>
> CðC  1Þ2 ðC  1Þ2
>
> 2mcp Ti1 þ Tiþ1 > 0 1in1
>
v2 GS < ðCTi  Ti1 Þ3 ðCTiþ1  Ti Þ3
¼ " # (29a)
vTi2 >
>
>
> 1 2CðC  1Þ2
>
: mc p  þ Ti1 > 0 i¼n
Ti2 ðCTi  Ti1 Þ3
 H.J. Xu, C.Y. Zhao / Renewable Energy 132 (2019) 826e845 833

v2 G S vFE 1 Xn
Cþ1
¼0 (29b) ¼ mcp $ ðTi1  Ti Þ2  F ¼ 0 (33b)
vs2 vl 2 i¼1
C  1
The minimum EGR can be obtained as The following equation can be obtained from Eq. (33a), as
2 sffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
  2F C  1
61 Q ðC  1Þ2 1 DTi ¼ Ti  Tiþ1 ¼ Ti1  Ti ¼ 1in1
Sg;min ¼ nmcp 6
4n ln 1  þ 1 nmcp C þ 1
mcp T C 0 Q n
C 1  mcp T0 1 (34)
3
The optimal solutions are presented as follows,
C  17
7
 rffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
C 5 C þ1
 nmcp C  1
lopt ¼  T  Ti;opt ¼  (35a)
C  1 i1;opt 2F C þ 1
(30)
sffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
When the heat transfer between HTF and PCM is sufficient, the 2FðC  1Þ
Ti;opt ¼ T0 Hi 1in (35b)
heat transfer parameter C related with NTU is very large. In this nmcp ðC þ 1Þ
case, the above optimal solutions for Lagrange multiplier, PCM
phase-change temperature, local EGR and minimum EGR are sffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
simplified as iðC  1Þ þ 1 2FðC  1Þ
Tmi;opt ¼ T0 H 1in (35c)
Cþ1 nmcp ðC þ 1Þ
"  1n #
mcp Q
lim sopt ¼ 1 1 (31a) rffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
C/∞ mcp T0  Q mcp T0 2mcp F
Qi;opt ¼ ± 1in (35d)
n
 ni
Q F
lim Tm;i;opt ¼ T0 1  1in (31b) 4i;opt ¼ 1in (35e)
C/∞ mcp T0 n
"    1n # All the second order partial derivatives of the Lagrange function
1 Q Q can be obtained as
lim Sg;i ¼ mcp ln 1  þ 1 1 1i
C/∞ n mcp T0 mcp T0 8
> Cþ1
> 2lmcp <0 1in1
n v2 FE < C1
¼ (36a)
vTi2 >
: lmcp C þ 1 < 0
(31c) >
i¼n
C1
"    1n #
1 Q Q
lim Sg;min ¼ nmcp ln 1  þ 1 1 v2 FE
C/∞ n mcp T0 mcp T0 ¼0 (36b)
vl2
(31d)
The maximum HTR in CTS system is obtained as
rffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
C1
jQ jmax ¼ 2nFmcp (37)
Cþ1
3.3. Optimizing HTR with constant EDR For thorough heat transfer between HTF and PCM, optimal so-
lutions of Lagrange multiplier, HTF temperature and PCM temper-
In this section, the EDR is treated as the constraint, and the total ature are respectively as
HTR is the objective function. The Lagrange function is
rffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi

 nmcp
FE ðT1 ; T2 ; :::; Ti ; :::; Tn ; lÞ ¼ Qn;tot þ l 4n;tot  F lim lopt ¼ (38a)
C/∞ 2F
¼ mcp ðTin  Tn Þ
" # sffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
1 X n
Cþ1 2F
þ l mcp , ðTi1  Ti Þ2  F lim Ti;opt ¼ T0 Hi 1in (38b)
2 C1 C/∞ nmcp
i¼1
(32) sffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
2F
The Lagrange equation can be obtained as lim Tmi;opt ¼ T0 Hi 1in (38c)
C/∞ nmcp
8
> Cþ1
>
< lmcp C  1 ð  Ti1 þ 2Ti  Tiþ1 Þ ¼ 0 1in1
vFE
¼
vTi >
> Cþ1
: mcp 1 þ l ðT  Tn Þ ¼ 0 i¼n
C  1 n1 3.4. Optimizing EDR with constant HTR
(33a)
If the total EDR and the total HTR are respectively employed as
the objective function and the constraint, the Lagrange function is
834 H.J. Xu, C.Y. Zhao / Renewable Energy 132 (2019) 826e845

established as

 v2 GE
¼0 (43b)
GE ðT1 ; T2 ; :::; Ti ; :::; Tn ; mÞ ¼ 4n;tot þ m Qn;tot  Q vm2
!
1 Xn
Ci þ 1 The minimum EDR is calculated as
¼ mcp ðTi1  Ti Þ2
2 i¼1
C i  1 " #
  1 Xn
C þ 1
2 C þ 1 Q2
þ m mcp ðT0  Tn Þ  Q (39) 4min ¼ mcp Ti1;opt  Ti;opt ¼ $
2 i¼1
C1 C  1 2nmcp
The corresponding Lagrange equations are
(44)
8
> Cþ1 For sufficient heat transfer enhancement of the cascaded unit,
> mcp ð  Ti1 þ 2Ti  Tiþ1 Þ ¼ 0 1in1
vGE < C1 optimal parameters affected by parameter C can be presented as
¼
vTi >
: mcp C þ 1 ½ðTn  T
>
Q
n1 Þ  m ¼ 0 i¼n
C1 lim mopt ¼  (45a)
(40a) C/∞ nmcp

vGE i Q
¼ mcp ðT0  Tn Þ  Q ¼ 0 (40b) lim Tmi;opt ¼ T0  $ 1in (45b)
vm C/∞ n mcp

The HTF temperature drop in the i-th stage is obtained as

Q2
lim 4min ¼ (45c)
Q C/∞ 2nmcp
DTi ¼ Ti  Tiþ1 ¼ Ti1  Ti ¼ 1in1 (41)
nmcp
The optimal solutions of Lagrange multiplier, HTF temperature,
PCM temperature, local HTR, and local EDR are 3.5. Analysis

Cþ1 Q The heat transfer parameter C is directly related with the overall
mopt ¼  $ (42a)
C  1 nmcp heat transfer coefficient (U), the heat transfer area (A), and the heat
carrying capability of HTF ðm$cp Þ. Thereinto, overall heat transfer
coefficient, being related with the structure of thermal storage unit,
i Q
Ti;opt ¼ T0  $ 1in (42b) is a key enabler for thermal storage device. Fig. 4 shows two
n mcp
different heat transfer configurations for the heat accumulator with
heat transferred between HTF and PCM. If the heat accumulator
iðC  1Þ þ 1 Q takes a parallel-plate configuration (Fig. 4(a)), the overall heat
Tmi;opt ¼ T0  $ 1in (42c)
C1 nmcp transfer coefficient is

Q 1 1 dw 1
¼ þ þ ¼R (46)
Qi;opt ¼ 1in (42d) U hHTF lw hPCM
n
Overall heat transfer coefficient is promoted by improving heat
Cþ1 Q2 transfer coefficients of PCM and HTF, and increasing thermal con-
4i;opt ¼ $ 2 1in (42e) ductivity and decreasing thickness of partition wall. Given that the
C  1 2n mcp
thermal storage unit is a tube-in-tube heat accumulator (Fig. 4(b)),
The second order partial differential derivatives of the Lagrange the overall thermal resistance (taking the inner surface of inner
function are presented as tube as the benchmark surface) is written as
8
> Cþ1 1 1 r r þ dw rin 1
> 2mcp >0 1in1 ¼ þ in ln in þ ¼R
v GE <
2
C1 U hin lw rin
$
rin þ dw hout
(47)
¼ (43a)
vTi
2 >
: mcp C þ 1 > 0
>
i¼n The heat transfer coefficient increases with an increase in heat
C1 transfer coefficients of PCM and HTF, and wall thermal conductivity.
But the effect of tube thickness on overall heat transfer coefficient is

PCM PCM
w rin
HTF
w

HTF

l l

(a) parallel-plate heat accumulator (b) tube-in-tube heat accumulator

Fig. 4. Two heat transfer configurations for a PCM thermal storage unit.
 H.J. Xu, C.Y. Zhao / Renewable Energy 132 (2019) 826e845 835

1.0 1.0

0.9
Exergy [44] Entropy Entransy

Temperature (T-Te)/(T0-Te)
0.9 HTF

Temperature (T-Te)/(T0-Te)
0.8 PCM
0.8 0.7

0.6
0.7
0.5
0.6
0.4

0.5 0.3
Exergy [44] Entropy Entransy
0.2
0.4
HTF
PCM 0.1

0.3 0.0
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0

Dimensionless HTF flow path X Dimensionless HTF flow path X

(a) cascaded cold storage (b) cascaded heat storage

Fig. 5. Comparison of entropy and entransy optimizations with exergy optimization (n ¼ 10).

not monotonic. The derivative of R over tube wall thickness is ob- in CTS unit, which is different from that based on entropy or exergy.
tained as
4. Limitation for optimization solutions
vR rin 1 rin 1
¼ $  (48)
vdw rin þ dw lw ðrin þ dw Þ2 hout 4.1. Basic considerations
There is a critical tube wall thickness for a maximum overall
Based on basic conditions of CTS system, PCM temperatures
heat transfer coefficient, expressed as
should be higher than the environment temperature for heat
storage, which can be realized by setting the last-stage PCM tem-
lw
dw;cr ¼  rin (49) perature higher than the environment temperature. For cascaded
hout
cold storage system, the last-stage PCM temperature should be
If the HTF is in the inner tube and PCM in the annulus, hout ¼ lower than the environment temperature. For cascaded design, if
hPCM . While, the HTF is responsible for the outside heat transfer the total heat transfer area is limited, the heat transfer area for
coefficient ðhout ¼ hHTF Þ supposing that PCM is in the inner tube arbitrary stage is gradually decreased with an increase in total stage
and the HTF in the annulus. It should be noted that the existence of number. If the heat transfer parameter C represents the value of exp
the critical wall thickness in Eq. (49) is uncertain. If lw < rin $hout , the (NTU) for the stage number n ¼ 1, the limitation can be presented as
critical wall thickness does not exist, and the heat transfer gradually
decreases with an increase in the wall thickness. If the thermal C 1=n Tn;opt  Tn1;opt > Te heat storage
Tm;n;opt ¼ (50)
conductivity of tube wall is much larger than rin $hout , the critical C 1=n  1 < Te cold storage
wall thickness is two large, which is economically impossible for
Limitations for all optimization solutions implicit in Eq. (50) are
practical application. The two aspects should be well considered in
very complex. If NTU for each thermal storage unit is fixed, the
practical design.
stage number has no influence on C. The above limitation can be
For sufficient heat transfer between HTF and PCM, NTU is suf-
presented as
ficiently large, leading to C/∞. In this case, PCM temperature is
approaching the HTF temperature. This is in accordance with very CTn;opt  Tn1;opt > Te heat storage
small thermal resistance for C/∞. From Eqs. (30) and (31d), (44), Tm;n;opt ¼ (51)
C1 < Te cold storage
and (45c), an increase in C leads to the decreased EGR and EDR,
which means the heat transfer enhancement can decrease the The above condition is affected by C, which is related with
thermodynamic irreversibility. practical optimization target. Based on Eq. (51), the limitation
To verify the validity of the optimization solution, the optimal condition is rewritten as
results based on entransy and entropy are compared with exergy
optimization results in Ref. [44], as shown in Fig. 5(a) and (b) > 0 heat storage
Tm;n  Te (52)
respectively for cascaded cold storage and cascaded heat storage. < 0 cold storage
Optimal temperatures of HTF and PCM based on entropy are geo-
In CTS system, an increase in the stage number will leads to the
metric, which is in accordance with the conclusion of Ref. [44] with
increased HTR, the decreased EGR and the decreased EDR. The
the minimum exergy loss principle. Virtually, the optimization
above limitation condition has obvious influence on the existence
based on exergy and that based on entropy are the similar thing. It
scope of the optimization solutions in Section 3.
should be noted that the exergy optimization is a specific solution
of the optimal solutions with the combination of EGR and HTR for
the fixed basic parameters. The combination of EGR and HTR is not 4.2. Limitation for HTR optimizations
unique, which can be adjusted according to the practical design
demand in CTS system. This can flexibly satisfy various design cases Sections 3.1 and 3.3 present HTR optimizations respectively for
and the specific HTR in multi-PCM system. In addition, the optimal the fixed EGR and the fixed EDR. In this part, limitation conditions
temperatures of HTF and PCM based on entransy show linear dis- for optimizations in Sections 3.1 and 3.3 are presented.
tributions, which is quite different from exergy and entropy opti-
mizations, as seen from Fig. 5(a)-5(b). This means that entransy 4.2.1. Condition of optimizing HTR with fixed EGR
provides another arrangement mode of optimal PCM temperatures For HTR optimization with the fixed EGR in Section 3.1, the point
836 H.J. Xu, C.Y. Zhao / Renewable Energy 132 (2019) 826e845

function can be further defined based on Eq. (52), as

fE ð∞Þ < ::: < fE ðncr þ 1Þ  0 < fE ðncr Þ < ::: < fE ð1Þ heat storage
1 Te > 0 heat storage fE ð1Þ < ::: < fE ðncr Þ < 0  fE ðncr þ 1Þ < ::: < fE ð∞Þ cold storage
fS ðnÞ ¼ C an  an1  ðC  1Þ
C1 T0 < 0 cold storage (60)
(53) The practical stage number should be no larger than the critical
From Eq. (53), the point function is affected by the stage number stage number ð1  n  ncr Þ.
and the temperature ratio which is related with fixed EGR and stage The critical stage number revealed in Section 4.2.1 and Section
number. The point function in Eq. (53) monotonically varies with an 4.2.2 represents the maximum stage number available for heat
increase in stage number or fixed EGR. For heat storage, the point transfer optimization with the given thermodynamic irreversibility
function decreases with an increase in stage number or fixed EGR. (EGR or EDR). This means the stage number of HTR optimization for
For cold storage, the point function increases with an increase in fixed thermodynamic irreversibility should not exceed the critical
stage number or fixed EGR. The maximum EGR is implicit in the stage number, and the thermodynamic irreversibility for the too
following inequation large stage number is greater than the fixed value. If the practical
stage number is greater than the critical value, the PCM tempera-
8
> 1 C1 Te ture distribution for either cold storage or heat storage is astride the
>
< >C þ C
>
T0
heat storage environment temperature. This manifests that too large stage
n ¼ 1 : aðUmax Þ (54) number is meaningless for this kind of optimizations.
>
> 1 C1 Te
>
:< þ cold storage
C C T0
4.3. Limitation for thermodynamic irreversibility optimizations
The fixed EGR should be less than the maximum EGR, as
Sections 3.2 and 3.4 respectively present the optimizations of
0 < U < Umax (55) EGR and EDR for the fixed HTR. In this section, limitations for op-
timizations in Sections 3.2 and 3.4 are presented.
A critical stage number for a fixed EGR in the range 0 < U < Umax
is implicit in
4.3.1. Condition of optimizing EGR with fixed HTR
For EGR optimization with fixed HTR, the point function based
fS ð∞Þ < ::: < fS ðncr þ 1Þ  0 < fS ðncr Þ < ::: < fS ð1Þ heat storage
on Eq. (52) is defined as
fS ð1Þ < ::: < fS ðncr Þ < 0  fS ðncr þ 1Þ < ::: < fS ð∞Þ cold storage
"    11n #
(56) T0 Q Q
gS ðnÞ ¼ C 1  1
Stage number in this optimization is no greater than the critical C1 mcp T0 mcp T0
value ð1  n  ncr Þ. The limitation for the present optimization,
>0 heat storage
determined by the fixed EGR and the stage number, has no explicit  Te (61)
<0 cold storage
expression for the critical stage number and the applicable range of
fixed EGR. With an increase in the fixed HTR ðQÞ or a decrease in stage
number, the point function decreases for both heat storage and cold
storage. For n ¼ 1 and n ¼ ∞, the point functions are respectively
4.2.2. Condition of optimizing HTR with fixed EDR  
T0 Q >0 heat storage
For the optimization in Section 3.3, the point function for limi- gS ð1Þ ¼ C 1  1  Te
C1 mcp T0 <0 cold storage
tation can be defined as
(62a)
8 sffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
>
> nðC  1Þ þ 1 2FðC  1Þ  
>
> T0   Te > 0 heat storage Q Te > 0 heat storage
>
< C þ1 nmcp ðC þ 1Þ gS ð∞Þ ¼ T0 1   (62b)
fE ðnÞ ¼ mcp T0 T0 < 0 cold storage
> sffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
>
>
> T þ nðC  1Þ þ 1
>
2FðC  1Þ
 Te < 0 cold storage The value range of Q in Eqs.(62a) and (62b) are respectively
: 0
C þ1 nmcp ðC þ 1Þ
8
> C1
(57) >
<0<Q< mcp ðT0  Te Þ heat storage
C
(63a)
Since the EDR is always positive, the scope of it can be easily >
obtained as
: C  1 mcp ðT  Te Þ < Q < 0 cold storage
>
0
C
 
C2  1 nmcp ðT0  Te Þ2 1 mcp ðT0  Te Þ2 0 < Q < mcp ðT0  Te Þ heat storage
0<F< $ < 1  $ (63b)
½nðC  1Þ þ 12 2 C2 2 mcp ðT0  Te Þ < Q < 0 cold storage
(58) If HTR Q is in the range
If the value of F is in the range
C1
0 < jQj < mcp ðT0  Te Þ (64)
  C
1 mcp ðT0  Te Þ2
0<F< 1  2 $ (59)
C 2 the optimization solution exists for arbitrary stage number. If HTR
From Eq. (58), with an increase in the stage number or the fixed
Q is in the range
EDR, the point function f(n) decreases for heat storage and in-
jQj  mcp ðT0  Te Þ (65)
creases for cold storage. There is a critical stage number for a fixed
EDR in the range of Eq. (59), being implicit in
 H.J. Xu, C.Y. Zhao / Renewable Energy 132 (2019) 826e845 837

8
Cascaded Cold Storage Cascaded Cold Storage > C1
>
>
> 1  n<∞ 0 < jQj < mcp jT0  Te j
T0<Te T0>Te >
< C
C1 (71)
>
> ncr  n < ∞ mcp jT0  Te j  jQj < mcp jT0  Te j
>
> C
Region C3 Region C2 Region C1 Region H1 Region H2 Region H3 >
:
n is absent jQj  mcp jT0  Te j
C 1 C 1
mc p Te T0 mc p Te T0 0 mc p Te T0 mc p Te T0
C C where the critical stage number ðncr Þ satisfies the following
condition
Fig. 6. Limitation conditions for the fixed HTR in optimizations of EGR or EDR.

gE ð1Þ  gE ðncr  1Þ  0 < gE ðncr Þ < gE ð∞Þ heat storage

there is no optimization solution, which means that the fixed HTR is
irrational. In the range
C1
mcp jT0  Te j < jQj < mcp jT0  Te j
C regions H1 and C1, the HTR range is 0 < jQj < ð1  1=CÞmcp ðT0  Te Þ,
there is a critical stage number satisfying the following condition
gS ð1Þ  gS ðncr  1Þ  0 < gS ðncr Þ < gS ð∞Þ
gS ð∞Þ < gS ðncr Þ < 0  gS ðncr  1Þ  gS ð1Þ
For physically meaningful optimization solution, stage number
ought to be in the range n  ncr . The fixed HTR in the range of Eq.
(66) requires a stage number no less than the critical value.
4.3.2. Condition for optimizing EDR with fixed HTR
From Eq. (52), the point function of limitation condition for EDR
optimization with fixed HTR is
gE ð∞Þ < gE ðncr Þ < 0  gE ðncr  1Þ  gE ð1Þ cold storage
(72)
Combined with Section 4.3.1, limitations of optimizations of EGR
or EDR with a fixed HTR for heat/cold storage are shown in Fig. 6. In
(66)
in which case the optimization solutions exist unconditionally. In
regions H2 and C2, the HTR is between ð1  1=CÞmcp ðT0 
Te Þ < jQj < mcp jT0  Te j, and the stage number must be no less than
heat storage the critical stage number. When the absolute value of HTR is
cold storage beyond mcp jT0  Te j, there is no optimization solution. The HTR gap
(67) for conditional optimization solution with an existing critical stage
number in Regions H2 and C2 can be calculated as
C1 1
DQ ¼ mcp jT0  Te j  mcp jT0  Te j ¼ mcp jT0  Te j (73)
C C
The gap for conditional optimization solution is negatively
related with the heat transfer parameter C. If the heat transfer
enhancement is very sufficient, the gap for conditional optimiza-
tion solution is tremendously narrowed and the critical stage
number for two kinds of optimizations in Sections 3.2 and 3.4 is
very sensitive to HTR in this range (C2 or H2).
5. Results and discussion

nðC  1Þ þ 1 Q > 0 heat storage 5.1. Temperature distribution

gE ðnÞ ¼ T0   Te
< 0 cold storage
$
C1 nmcp
(68) Eqs. (22c) and (22d), (28c), (28d), (35b), (35c), (42b), and (42c)
presents the analytical expression of temperatures of HTF and PCM
With an increase in fixed HTR ðQÞ or a decrease in the stage for entropy and entransy optimizations. For the cascaded heat
number, the point function is decreased for heat storage and transfer, the dimensionless temperature is defined as
increased for cold storage. For n ¼ 1 and n ¼ ∞, the point function is
T  Te
q¼ (74)
C Q > 0 heat storage T0  Te
gE ð1Þ ¼ T0   Te (69a)
C  1 mcp < 0 cold storage The above parameter represents the closeness of the tempera-
ture to the inlet temperature of HTF. Fig. 7 shows the effect of fixed
  parameters (F, U and Q) on temperature distributions of cascaded
Q Te > 0 heat storage
gE ð∞Þ ¼ T0 1   (69b) heat storage. For HTR optimization, ranges of dimensionless tem-
mcp T0 T0 < 0 cold storage
peratures of HTF and PCM, and the difference between HTF and
The above inequations are respectively simplified as PCM temperatures are widen with an increase in the fixed EDR
(Fig. 7(a)) or the fixed EGR (Fig. 7(c)). For the optimization of EDR
8 (Fig. 7(b)) and that of EGR (Fig. 7(d)), varying ranges of tempera-
> C1
>
<0<Q< mcp ðT0  Te Þ heat storage tures of HTF and PCM, and the difference between HTF and PCM
C
(70a) temperatures are enlarged with an increase in the fixed HTR. From
>
: C  1 mcp ðT  Te Þ < Q < 0
>
cold storage Fig. 7(a) and (b), optimal temperatures of HTF and PCM are linear
0
C based on entransy, which shows the same finding as Eq. (34) and
Eq. (41) do. From Fig. 7(c) and (d), optimal temperatures of HTF and
PCM are geometric based on entropy, which is in accordance with
0 < Q < mcp ðT0  Te Þ heat storage
(70b) Eq. (22a) and Eq. (28b).
mcp ðT0  Te Þ < Q < 0 cold storage
Fig. 8 shows the comparison of temperatures for HTF and PCM
Eqs.(70a) and (70b) are the same as Eqs.(63a) and (63b). Thus, between the entransy optimization and the entropy optimization
the scope of the fixed HTR for meaningful optimization solution can for cascaded heat/cold storage systems. It is further verified that
be expressed as temperatures of HTF and PCM based on entransy are linear, while
838 H.J. Xu, C.Y. Zhao / Renewable Energy 132 (2019) 826e845

1.0 1.0
NTU=3.19×10-3 NTU=3.19×10-3
T0=2273.15 K Te=273.15 K T0=2273.15 K Te=273.15 K
0.8 0.8

Dimensionless temperature
Dimensionless temperature
0.6 0.6

n is very large. n is very large.

0.4 0.4

(W) 1 30 100
0.2 (W·K) 107 5×107 8×107 0.2 HTF
HTF
PCM
PCM
0.0 0.0
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0
Dimensionless HTF flow path X Dimensionless HTF flow path X

(a) effect of , entransy (b) effect of , entransy

1.0
1.0 NTU=3.19×10-3
n is very large. T0=2273.15 K Te=273.15 K
0.8

Dimensionless temperature
0.8
Dimensionless temperature

NTU=3.19×10-3
T0=2273.15 K Te=273.15 K
0.6
0.6

0.4
0.4 n is very large.

0.2
0.2 (W) 8×104 1.3×105 1.8×105 Exergy
(W·K-1) 1 30 100
HTF
HTF QEx=1.94×105 W
PCM
PCM 0.0
0.0 0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0
Dimensionless HTF flow path X Dimensionless HTF flow path X

(c) effect of , entropy (d) effect of , entropy

Fig. 7. Effect of fixed parameters on temperature distributions of cascaded heat storage.

1.0 1.0
Entransy, HTF
Entropy, HTF
0.8 Entransy, PCM
Dimensionless temperature

0.8
Dimensionless temperature

Entropy, PCM

0.6 0.6

0.4 NTU=3.19×10-3 0.4 NTU=3.19×10-3

Entransy, HTF
=1.5×105 W =1.5×104 W
Entropy, HTF
T0=2273.15 K T0=10 K
0.2 0.2 Entransy, PCM
Te=273.15 K Te=273.15 K Entropy, PCM
n is very large n is very large
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0
Dimensionless HTF flow path X Dimensionless HTF flow path X

(a) heat storage, fixed HTR (b) cold storage, fixed HTR
1.0 1.0

NTU=3.19×10-3
0.8
=69.20 W·K-1
Dimensionless temperature

0.8
Dimensionless temperature

T0=2273.15 K
Te=273.15 K
0.6 n is very large 0.6

0.4 0.4 NTU=3.19×10-3

Entransy, HTF
Entransy, HTF =145.23 W·K-1
Entropy, HTF
Entropy, HTF T0=10 K
0.2 0.2 Entransy, PCM
Entransy, PCM Te=273.15 K Entropy, PCM
Entropy, PCM n is very large
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0
Dimensionless HTF flow path X Dimensionless HTF flow path X

(c) heat storage, fixed EGR (d) cold storage, fixed EGR

Fig. 8. Temperature distributions of HTF and PCM for a large stage number.

those based on entropy are geometric. The local difference between unchanged, while that for the entropy optimization varies gradu-
HTF and PCM temperatures for the entransy optimization is ally. For heat storage (Fig. 8(a) and (c)), HTF temperature of the
 H.J. Xu, C.Y. Zhao / Renewable Energy 132 (2019) 826e845 839

1.4
heat storage, approximate solution (W) 500 1000 1500 2000
1.3 cold storage, approximate solution 10 heat storage
heat storage, exact solution (W) 50 100 150 200
1.2
cold storage, exact solution cold storage
Temperature ratio

Temperature ratio
1.1

1.0
1
0.9
=1500 W Te=273.15 K
0.8
Heat storage: T0=2273.15 K
0.7 Cold storage: T0=10 K
0.1
0 20 40 60 80 100
1 10 100
Stage number n Stage number n

(a) HTR optimization with a fixed EGR (b) EGR optimization with a constant HTR
Fig. 9. Effect of the stage number on temperature ratio for different cases.

1
Temperature difference of adjacent stages

Temperature difference of adjacent stages

(W·K) 105 2×105 3×105 4×105 (W) 500 1000 1500 2000
HTF HTF
PCM PCM
0.1
0.1

NTU=0.59 NTU=0.59
Te=273.15 K 0.01 Te=273.15 K
T0=2273.15 K =Sg,entransy T0=2273.15 K

0.01
1 10 100 1 10 100
Stage number n Stage number n

(a) HTR optimization with a fixed EDR (b) EDR optimization with a fixed HTR
Fig. 10. Effect of stage number on dimensionless temperature difference in each stage.

0.8 (W/K) HTF PCM

Dimensionless temperature at the last stage

Dimensionless temperature at the last stage

0.1
0.7 0.7
Entropy 0.15 (W) 500 900 1300 1700

0.6 0.2 0.6 PCM, Entropy

0.25 PCM, Entransy
0.5 0.1 0.5
Entransy 0.15
0.4 0.2 0.4 HTF

0.25
0.3 0.3

0.2 0.2

= entropy
0.1 0.1

0.0 0.0
1 10 1 10 100
Stage number n Stage number n

(a) equivalent EDR (b) equivalent HTR

Fig. 11. Effect of stage number on last-stage temperatures of HTF and PCM.

entropy optimization is lower than that of the entransy optimiza- 5.2. Temperature ratio and temperature difference
tion, while for cold storage (Fig. 8(b) and (d)), the opposite thing
happens. For heat storage (Fig. 8(c)) and cold storage (Fig. 8(d)), the Eqs. (22a) and (28b) respectively present the temperature ratio
last-stage temperature of HTF in entropy optimization is lower than for solutions of HTR and EGR optimizations in the CTS unit. This is
that in entransy optimization. the direct verification of the fact that temperatures of HTF and PCM
840 H.J. Xu, C.Y. Zhao / Renewable Energy 132 (2019) 826e845

are geometric. Fig. 9 shows the effect of stage number on the an increase in stage number. From Eqs. (35b) and (35c), (42b), and
temperature ratio for HTR optimization with a fixed EGR (Fig. 9(a)) (42c), the difference between temperatures of adjacent stages for
and EGR optimization with a constant HTR (Fig. 9(b)). For heat HTF is equal to that for PCM, which can be verified from Fig. 10(a)
storage, temperature ratio is less than 1, while temperature ratio is and (b). The temperature difference is enlarged in entransy opti-
greater than for cold storage 1. The temperature ratio gradually mization with an increase in EGR or HTR.
approaches 1 when the stage number increases. Simultaneously, an Last-stage temperatures of HTF and PCM are critical for moni-
increase in the heat transfer ratio can enlarge the difference be- toring the lower limit of the thermal energy quality in storage.
tween the temperature ratio and 1. Fig. 11 shows the effect of stage number on last-stage temperatures
Eqs. (34) and (41) provide the temperature difference for HTR of HTF and PCM in entransy and entropy optimizations. From
optimization with a fixed EDR and EDR optimization with a fixed Fig. 11(a), last-stage temperatures of HTF and PCM are decreased
HTR, respectively. The dimensionless temperature difference is with an increase in the stage number for the entransy and entropy
defined as optimizations with the equivalent EDR, which is attributed to the
fact that the increased stage number leads to the decreased tem-
sffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
DTi T  Tiþ1 1 2F C  1 perature difference of heat transfer and the reduced thermody-
Dqi ¼ ¼ i ¼ 1in1 namic irreversibility in each stage. While, last-stage temperatures
T0  Te T0  Te T0  Te nmcp C þ 1
of HTF and PCM are increased with an increase in the stage number
(75a) for entransy and entropy optimizations with the equivalent HTR, as
shown in Fig. 11(b). This is because temperature ranges of HTF and
DTi T  Tiþ1 Q PCM are narrowed with the increased stage number. From Fig. 11(a)
Dqi ¼ ¼ i ¼ 1in1 and (b), with an increase in stage number, the difference between
T0  Te T0  Te nmcp ðT0  Te Þ
last-stage temperatures of HTF and PCM is reduced for both
(75b) entransy and entropy optimizations. The critical stage number for
Fig. 10 presents the effect of stage number on the dimensionless the fixed thermodynamic irreversibility discussed in Section 4.1
temperature difference between adjacent stages for HTR optimi- and that in Section 4.2 can also be observed from Fig. 11(a) and
zation and EDR optimization based on entransy, respectively. (b). In Fig. 11, HTF and PCM temperatures in entropy optimization
Temperature difference between adjacent stages is decreased with are higher than those in entransy optimization.

NTU=0.59 NTU=0.59
106
100 Te=273.15 K Te=273.15 K
(W·K)
Entropy generation rate Sg (W/K)

T0=2273.15 K T0=2273.15 K
Entransy dissipation rate

10-1
105

10-2
(W) 500 900 1300 1700 (W) 500 900 1300 1700
104 Entropy
Entropy
Entransy Entransy
10-3
100 101 102 100 101 102
Stage number n Stage number n

(a) EGR (b) EDR

1400
(W) 500 900 1300 1700
Entropy
1200 Entransy

1000
Exergy Ex

800

NTU=0.59
600 Te=273.15 K
T0=2273.15 K
400

200
1 10 100
Stage number n

(c) exergy
Fig. 12. Effect of stage number on thermodynamic irreversibility parameters of entransy and entropy optimizations with the equivalent HTR.
 H.J. Xu, C.Y. Zhao / Renewable Energy 132 (2019) 826e845 841

1.2x106
106
100
Entropy, =750 W 8x105 Entropy, =750 W
Entropy generation rate Sg

Entransy dissipation rate

Entropy, =1000 W Entropy, =1000 W
Entransy, =750 W 6x105 Entransy, =750 W
Entransy, =1000 W Entransy, =1000 W
4x105

10-1
2x105
n=2 n=2

100 101 102 100 101 102

Heat transfer parameter C Heat transfer parameter C

(a) EGR (b) EDR

8x102

7x102

6x102

5x102
Exergy Ex

n=2

4x102
Entropy, =750 W
Entropy, =1000 W
3x102 Entransy, =750 W
Entransy, =1000 W

100 101 102

Heat transfer parameter C

(c) exergy
Fig. 13. Effect of heat transfer parameter on thermodynamic irreversibility parameters of entransy and entropy optimizations with the equivalent HTR.

5.3. Irreversibility
Since entropy generation and entransy dissipation always occur
in heat transfer with finite temperature difference, they can be
treated as methods for estimating thermodynamic irreversibility.
Exergy is used for evaluating the ability of a thermodynamic system
to generate maximum useful work from thermal energy. It is a
special parameter to describe the thermodynamic irreversibility of
a heat-work conversion. For the CTS process, the exergy of the inlet
HTF is calculated with
ExHTF ¼ WHTF;max ¼ mcp ½T0  Te þ Te lnðTe =T0 Þ
The total exergy stored in PCM of CTS system is
X
n X
n
Exstorage ¼ Exi ¼ Qi ð1  Te =Tmi Þ
i¼1 i¼1
Fig. 12(a) and (b), and 12(c) show the effect of stage number on
EGR, EDR, and exergy for entransy and entropy optimizations for
equivalent HTR. In Fig. 12, the HTR is fixed, and an increase in stage
number results in a decrease in temperature difference between
PCM and HTF. Thus, an increase in stage number leads to the
decreased EGR, and the decreased EDR, as shown in Fig. 12(a)-12(b).
The decreased temperature difference between PCM and HTF cor-
responds to smaller exergy destruction, and the exergy is increased
for an increase in stage number, as shown in Fig. 12(c). This means
that the increased stage number reduces the thermodynamic
irreversibility of cascaded system. Simultaneously, the difference
between the optimal results based on entransy and entropy is
decreased with an increase in stage number. From Fig. 12, EGR of
entransy optimization is greater than that of entropy optimization,
while EDR and exergy of entransy optimization are lower than
those of entropy optimization.
Fig. 13(a)-13(b) present the effect of heat transfer parameter (C)
(76) on EGR, EDR, and exergy in entransy and entropy optimizations for
equivalent HTR. EGR and EDR decrease and exergy increases with
an increase in heat transfer parameter. This is because an increase
in C leads to the smaller temperature difference between PCM and
HTF. EGR and exergy in the entropy optimization is lower than
(77)
those in entransy optimization, and EDR in entropy optimization is
higher than that in entransy optimization. With an increase in heat
transfer parameter, the variation in the difference between
entransy and entropy results is mild. What is presented in Figs. 12
and 13 shows that the entropy generation is a key thermodynamic
irreversibility parameter in entropy optimization, while EDR is
appropriate for entransy optimization.
842 H.J. Xu, C.Y. Zhao / Renewable Energy 132 (2019) 826e845

1.0 1.0
(W·K) 500 900 1300 1700 (W) 500 900 1300 1700
0.9 Entropy Entropy
0.9
Entransy Entransy
0.8
0.8
Ex

Ex
0.7
Exergy efficiency

Exergy efficiency
0.7
0.6
NTU=0.59
0.5 Te=273.15 K 0.6

T0=2273.15 K
0.4 0.5 NTU=0.59
Te=273.15 K
0.3 0.4
T0=2273.15 K
0.2 =Sg,entransy
0.3
0.1
1 10 1 10 100
Stage number n Stage number n

(a) equivalent EGR (b) equivalent HTR

Fig. 14. Effect of the stage number on the exergy efficiency of entransy and entropy optimizations.

0.7
0.8 =Sg,entransy
n=6
0.6
Ex

Ex

0.6
Exergy efficiency

Exergy efficiency

0.4 0.5 n 2 5 10
Entropy
(W·K) Entropy Entransy
Entransy
105
0.2 1.5×105 0.4
2×105 =1200 W

0.0 0.3
1 10 100 1 10 100
Heat transfer parameter C Heat transfer parameter C

(a) equivalent EGR (b) fixed HTR

Fig. 15. Effect of heat transfer parameter on the exergy efficiency of entransy and entropy optimizations.

1.0 1.0
(W/K) 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25
Entropy n=5 = entropy
Entransy 0.8
0.8
Q
Q

Thermal efficiency
Thermal efficiency

0.6
0.6 NTU=0.59
Te=273.15 K
0.4
T0=2273.15 K (W/K) Entropy Entransy
0.4 0.05
0.2
0.1
= entropy
0.2
0.2 0.3
0.0
1 10 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1011
Stage number n Heat transfer parameter C

(a) stage number (b) heat transfer parameter

Fig. 16. Effect of basic parameters on thermal efficiency of entransy and entropy optimizations for the equivalent EDR.
 H.J. Xu, C.Y. Zhao / Renewable Energy 132 (2019) 826e845
5.4. Overall performance evaluation
The thermal efficiency based on thermodynamics first law and
the exergy efficiency based on thermodynamics second law are
respectively defined as
Qstorage mcp jTn  T0 j
hQ ¼ ¼ ¼ 1  qn (78a)
QHTF mcp jTe  T0 j
P
n
Qi 1  TTm;ie
Exstorage i¼1
hEx ¼ ¼ h i (78b)
ExHTF mcp T0 þ Te ln TT0e  1
Fig. 14(a)-14(b) present the effect of stage number on exergy
efficiencies of entransy and entropy optimizations for the equiva-
lent EGR and the equivalent HTR respectively. From these two fig-
ures, exergy efficiencies in entransy and entropy optimizations are
increased with an increase in stage number. Simultaneously, the
optimal exergy efficiency of entropy is superior to that of entransy.
From Fig. 14(a) for equivalent EGR, the increased stage number
leads to a enlarged difference between the optimal exergy effi-
ciency with entropy and that with entransy. The maximum stage
number (the critical stage number) for HTR optimization with a
fixed EGR or a fixed EDR can be observed from Fig. 14(a), which is
increased by a decrease in the corresponding constraint parameter
(F or U). From Fig. 14(b), the exergy efficiency is increased sharply
for small stage numbers, and the increasing amplitude is mild for
large stage numbers. The minimum stage number (the critical stage
number) for optimizations of EGR and EDR with an equivalent HTR
is verified from Fig. 14(b). This critical stage number increases with
an increase in the constraint parameter ðQÞ.
Fig. 15(a)-15(b) show the effect of the heat transfer parameter
(C) on the exergy efficiency of entransy and entropy optimizations
for the equivalent EGR and the equivalent HTR, respectively. The
optimal exergy efficiency is increased with an increase in the heat
transfer parameter from Fig. 15(a)-15(b). When the heat transfer
parameter is sufficiently large, the exergy efficiency gradually ap-
proaches a saturation value. It can also be seen from Fig. 15(a)-15(b)
that the optimal exergy efficiency using the entropy is superior to
that using the entransy. From Fig. 15(a), for the equivalent EGR, the
difference between the optimal exergy efficiency with entropy and
that with entransy is gradually increased. Since the constraint of
the optimizations is with constant HTR (1200 W), the difference
between the optimal exergy efficiency based on entropy and that
based on entransy is gradually decreased from Fig. 15(b).
Effects of the stage number and the heat transfer parameter on
the thermal efficiency are respectively shown in Fig. 16(a)-16(b) for
equivalent EDR. From Fig. 16(a)-16(b), the optimal thermal effi-
ciency with entropy is lower than that with entransy. From
Fig. 16(a), with an increase in stage number, the optimal thermal
efficiency increases and the difference between the optimal ther-
mal efficiency with entropy and that with entransy is also gradually
increased. The applicable scope of stage number (critical stage
number) in Fig. 16(a) is extended with a decrease in the fixed EGR
for the fixed thermodynamic irreversibility. From Fig. 16(b), the
optimal thermal efficiency gradually increases with an increase in
heat transfer parameter and approaches a saturation value when
heat transfer parameter is sufficiently large. From Fig. 16(b), the
difference between the optimal thermal efficiency with entropy
and that with entransy is mild for a small heat transfer parameter
and gradually increases with a further increase in heat transfer
parameter. From Fig. 16(a)-16(b), the optimal thermal efficiency
increases with an increase in the fixed EGR ðUÞ. Combined Fig. 15(a)
with Fig. 16(b), there is no need to distinguish the thermodynamics
843
principles for optimization when the heat transfer is poor. For
sufficient heat transfer enhancement, it is essential to select opti-
mization principles for CTS unit.
5.5. Discussion
Overall, with an increase in stage number, the difference be-
tween the outlet HTF temperature and the environment tempera-
ture is gradually decreased and the optimal thermal efficiency and
the optimal exergy efficiency are both increased. This manifests
that the increased stage number effectively improves the perfor-
mance of multi-PCM system. The increasing amplitude in system
performance is notable for small stage numbers, while it is mild for
large stage numbers. Since too large stage numbers lead to more
system components, higher complexity, higher cost and risk in
manufacture/operation, and relatively lower benefits, there is no
practical significance for too many stages. Benefits and disadvan-
tages should be well balanced to design the stage number of a CTS
device from the viewpoint of economy.
The difference between optimal result of entropy and that of
entransy is mild for small heat transfer parameters, and increases
with a further increase in heat transfer parameter. This means that
it makes little sense to select optimization principles for poor heat
transfer, but it is essential to select optimization principles when
heat transfer is sufficient. In addition, when the phase change
temperature of PCM is very close to the environment temperature,
the thermal energy quality store in the PCM is very low. Employ-
ment of this PCM for storing high temperature thermal energy is an
action that imports little.
By comparing result of entropy optimization with that of
entransy optimization, thermal efficiency of entransy is greater
than that of entropy while the exergy efficiency of entropy opti-
mization is superior to that of entransy optimization. This means
that entransy is suited to optimize the CTS device for heating or
cooling, and entropy is appropriate to optimize the CTS system for
the heat-work conversion purpose. Thus, optimization principles
should be selected from entransy and entropy according to the
application purpose of thermal storage. Overall, entransy provides
another perspective and option in thermodynamic irreversibility
evaluation, and entropy and entransy are respectively useful for
different application purposes in optimizing CTS systems.
6. Conclusions
Cascaded heat transfer process of solar thermal storage system
with multiple PCM is analytically investigated from the viewpoint
of thermodynamics. The conclusions are put forward in the
following. (1) HTR is combined with thermodynamic irreversibility
in multi PCM thermal storage system for optimizations with
entransy and entropy, and optimal solutions are obtained. The
optimal PCM temperature with entropy is geometric, while that
with entransy is linear. (2) Limitation conditions for different kinds
of optimizations are comprehensively analyzed. As to limitations of
HTR optimizations with fixed thermodynamic irreversibility, a
critical stage number exists for a meaningful optimal solution, and
the practical stage number must be no greater than the critical
stage number. For limitations of thermodynamic irreversibility
optimizations with fixed HTR, the HTR scope for the meaningful
optimization solution is proposed, from which a critical stage
number no less than the practical stage number may exist in the
range n  ncr. (3) The thermal efficiency of entransy optimization is
greater than that of entropy optimization while the exergy effi-
ciency of entropy optimization is superior to that of entransy
optimization. (4) Effects of key parameters on optimal temperature
and optimal thermal performance are discussed. The increased
844 H.J. Xu, C.Y. Zhao / Renewable Energy 132 (2019) 826e845
stage number effectively improves the CTS performance. The
increasing amplitude in system performance is notable for small
stage numbers, while mild for large stage numbers. Benefits and
disadvantages should be well balanced to design stage number of a
multi-PCM unit. (5) With an increase in heat transfer parameter,
the optimal thermal efficiency and the optimal exergy efficiency
increases and gradually approaches the corresponding saturation
values. The difference between the optimal performance with
entransy and that with entropy is mild for small heat transfer pa-
rameters, and gradually increases for a further increase in heat
transfer parameter. This means heat transfer enhancement is
essential for CTS system and the selection of optimization
principles.
Acknowledgement
Supports from National Natural Science Foundation of China
(No. 51876118) and the Initiative Program of New Youth Teachers in
SJTU (No. WF220428001) are acknowledged.
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