Thermodynamic investigation of a novel metal hydride based solar thermal energy storage reactor for solar bakery unit: Energy and Exergy analysis

Metal hydride based concentrated solar thermal energy storage system is an effective way to overcome the problem of incompatibility between solar system and its users. This research article presents thermodynamic analysis of a novel metal hydride (MgH₂ + V₂O₅) based solar thermal energy storage reactor for bakery unit operated by Scheffler reflector. The three key parameters for performance assessment, exergy efficiency, improvement potential rate (IP) and exergetic factor (f) were determined. It was found that the Scheffler receiver and the HTMH reactor deals with considerable quantity of solar energy and exposed energy losses. These components possessed high IP rate (6.574 kW, 0.534 kW), high f value (85.68%, 6.73%) and low exergy efficiency (15%, 13.8%) as compare to bakery unit. Thermodynamic investigation of high temperature metal hydride reactor presented variations in rate of energy stored ), efficiency of charging process (, exergy losses and exergy efficiency in the range of 229–2066 kW, 50–90%, 0.109–1.017 kW and 9.63–49.82%, respectively. Research findings provide a comprehensive approach to perform the thermodynamic analysis of metal hydride based solar thermal energy storage reactor for solar bakery unit and pointed out the tendency of system optimization for efficient energy storage.