Abstract: “This paper investigates the problem of designing a state observer for a Packed Bed Thermal Energy Storage System. In previous studies (see e.g. [21]), a mathematical model of the system, taking the form of two coupled partial differential equations, was derived and validated through comparison with experimental measurements. In this paper, the previously derived model is approximated by a lumped linear time-invariant model and then employed to design a Luenberger state observer capable of reconstructing the solid and fluid temperature profiles on the basis of few collocated fluid temperature measurements. Theoretical design and experimental results are presented throughout the paper.”

Keywords: Thermal Energy Storage System. Sensible heat storage, Packed-bed technology; State observer.