Shell Shape Influence on Latent Heat Thermal Energy Storage Performance during Melting and Solidification

Jerzy Wołoszyn () and Krystian Szopa
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Jerzy Wołoszyn: AGH University of Krakow, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Robotics, Department of Power Systems and Environmental Protection Facilities, al. A. Mickiewicz 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland
Krystian Szopa: AGH University of Krakow, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Robotics, Department of Power Systems and Environmental Protection Facilities, al. A. Mickiewicz 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland

Energies, 2023, vol. 16, issue 23, 1-26

Abstract: Phase-change materials have various applications across industries from thermal energy storage through automotive battery temperature management systems to thermal stabilisation. Many of these applications are shell and tube structures with different shell shapes. However, it is not yet known how the shape of the shell affects the melting, solidification times, and heat transport processes in such structures. To fill this research gap, seventeen shell shapes/orientations were compared using a simulation study. The well-known and validated enthalpy porosity algorithm implemented in the Fluent 2021R2 software was used. The numerical calculations were preceded by the measurement of thermal conductivity, phase change enthalpy, and specific heat during melting and solidification of the phase-change material. The shortest melting time was achieved for a semi-circular shell shape in the downward position, which was 44% shorter than the reference circular case. The shortest solidification times were recorded for an isosceles trapezium in an upward orientation relative to the reference circular case. Therefore, it is possible to significantly reduce the melting time in shell-and-tube systems as a result of the appropriate selection of the shell shape.

Keywords: LHTES; CFD; thermal energy storage; phase-change material; shell and tube (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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