In: Mechanical Engineering
what is storage tank stratification?
Stratification is defined as, "arranging different elements of a group in a specified manner." In storage tanks such as thermal storage tank or heat exchanger, hot and cold water co-exist and create a layer in between them for stratification. Since the density of hot water is more than that of cold water, it rises to the top of storage vesssv and cold water sinks to the bottom of the vessel. As the heat energy is added to the storage system, as per the laws of physics, water will stratify in the storage tank. Water will form a layer with the heated water rising up the cold water. And this the stratification process is driven in the tank till all the water gets heated.