Evaluation and optimization of melting performance for a latent heat thermal energy storage unit partially filled with porous media

Thermal energy storage using phase change materials (PCM) proved to be a promising technology because of its relative advantages over the other types of energy storage methods. Along with thermophysical properties of PCM, the performance of latent heat based thermal energy storage system depends on the design of the heat exchanger. Although extensive research is being carried out over the past few years, an integrated study on the design of PCM heat exchanger is scarce. This review presents the in-depth analysis of various operating conditions and design parameters that need to be considered in the design of a PCM based heat exchanger. Shell and tube type, triple concentric tube type heat exchangers are discussed along with the various heat transfer techniques employed in both the types of heat exchangers. In each enhancement technique, the influencing geometric parameters are summarized, and the recommended values of those parameters are provided. The present article is expected to be a helpful reference for the researchers working in the field of thermal energy storage.

Influence of operational and design parameters on the performance of a PCM based heat exchanger for thermal energy storage – A review

Experimental investigation of melting behaviour of phase change material in finned rectangular enclosures under different inclination angles

Melting performance enhancement of phase change material by a limited amount of metal foam: Configurational optimization and economic assessment

Evaluation and optimization of thermal performance for a finned double tube latent heat thermal energy storage

Effect of inclination angle on the performance of a shell and tube heat storage unit – An experimental study

The present paper investigates melting and solidification processes in a multitube heat exchanger. The shell side is filled with paraffin (RT35) while water flows through the tube passes as the heat transfer fluid (HTF). The arrangements of one, two, three and four inner tubes cases are studied for HTF inlet temperatures of 70 °C, 75 °C and 80 °C. The thermal characteristics of the units involving melting front, heat transfer rate and Nusselt number are also analyzed. Results indicate that increasing the number of inner tubes results in a faster pace of melting and solidification. The effect is so pronounced that, when the HTF inlet temperature is 80 °C, application of 4-tube heat exchanger reduces the duration required for complete melting and solidification up to 43 and 50 percent, respectively as compared to the corresponding single-HTF-tube case. The results also show that by increasing the number of tubes, the surface-averaged Nusselt number decreases. This can be attributed to the inhibition of upper pipes against PCM melt movement. Also a correlation is proposed to calculate Nusselt number of tubes. Comparing the temperatures recorded by the thermocouples in rotational direction, it is indicated that the variation of the inner tube arrangement affects solidification process more than melting.

N. Kousha

Papers

Effect of inclination angle on the performance of a shell and tube heat storage unit – An experimental study

Experimental investigation of phase change in a multitube heat exchanger