The potential of Thermal Storage Tanks to assist in managing Peak Heat Loads on Naval Ships

Thermal heat loading has become a burden on today’s naval ships. Expanding operations in hot climate zones,
increasing use of high energy systems (for example weapons) and maintaining the cooling of electronics that require
fine temperature control have all contributed to a higher cooling demand. Designing cooling plant for a range of
operating climates and varying equipment loads is a challenge due to high peaks in the thermal load that occur for
short durations of time. Specification of a traditional chilled water system to meet peak load demands will result in a
system that is oversized for normal operating loads and is likely to be deemed impractical.
The use of thermal storage tanks provides a potential solution to catering for these peak load demands. This consists
of a tank filled with a medium that can be cooled so that it absorbs heat from the ships systems when cooling water is
passed through the tank. The thermal storage medium can be used as a heat sink to smooth thermal load peaks and
then be recharged during periods of lower demand. Various materials have shown potential for use as thermal storage
mediums.
This paper summarises the operational advantages and integration challenges of thermal storage tanks, focusing on
the use of water and wax as storage mediums.Relative tank sizes, cooling capacities and system scheme design
solutions are presented for a range of thermal storage tank solutions.