Chapter 2: Transport Phenomena in Thermal Energy Storage

Transport phenomena concern three closely related topics—fluid dynamics, heat transfer and mass transfer—that dictate the rates of transferring of mass, momentum and mass. They are therefore fundamental to the understanding of thermal energy storage processes and to the design and operation of thermal energy storage devices and systems. This chapter outlines basic concepts of the three topical areas and introduces three conservation equations of mass, momentum and energy as well as constitutive relationships associated with the conservation equations. Attempts are also made to relate these to thermal energy storage where appropriate.