Thermal Performance Assessment of Heat Storage Unit by Investigating Different Fins Configurations

Atif Shazad, Maaz Akhtar (), Ahmad Hussain, Naser Alsaleh and Barun Haldar
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Atif Shazad: Department of Mechanical Engineering, NED University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi 75270, Pakistan
Maaz Akhtar: Industrial Engineering Department, College of Engineering, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, Ryadh 11432, Saudi Arabia
Ahmad Hussain: Department of Mechanical Engineering, DHA Suffa University, Karachi 75500, Pakistan
Naser Alsaleh: Industrial Engineering Department, College of Engineering, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, Ryadh 11432, Saudi Arabia
Barun Haldar: Industrial Engineering Department, College of Engineering, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, Ryadh 11432, Saudi Arabia

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 22, 1-24

Abstract: Energy shortage is a significant global concern due to the heavy reliance of industrial and residential sectors on energy. As fossil fuels diminish, there is a pressing shift towards alternative energy sources such as solar and wind. However, the intermittent nature of these renewable resources, such as the absence of solar energy at night, necessitates robust energy storage solutions. This study focuses on enhancing the performance of a thermal storage unit by employing multiple fin configuration with solar salt (NaNO 3 -KNO 3 ) as a phase change material (PCM) and Duratherm 630 as a heat transfer fluid (HTF). Notably, W-shaped and trapezoidal fins achieved reductions in melting time from 162 min to 84 min and 97 min, respectively, while rectangular fins were the least effective, albeit still reducing melting time to 143 min. Reduction in thermal gradients due to well-developed thermal mixing significantly reduced phase transition duration. Impact of fins geometries on localized vortexes generation within the unit was identified. W-shaped and trapezoidal fins were notably efficacious because of greater heat transfer area and better heat distribution through conduction and convection.

Keywords: latent heat; fin configurations; charging time; PCM; energy storage (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: 2025
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