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Melting characteristics of a longitudinally finned-tube horizontal latent heat thermal energy storage system
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-21, 03:22 authored by Nishant ModiNishant Modi, Xiaolin WangXiaolin Wang, Michael NegnevitskyMichael Negnevitsky, Cao, FThis study aims to analyze the effect of fin geometry on the thermal performance of longitudinally finned-tube horizontal latent heat thermal energy storage (LHTES) systems. The longitudinal fins with different fin heights, thickness, and numbers were applied in the horizontal shell-and-tube LHTES system and the paraffin was packed in the annulus. The melting fronts, average temperature, and velocity profiles of Phase Change Material (PCM) were graphically illustrated and compared for charging processes. It was found that the incorporation of longitudinal fins in a small quantity (2.85% of total volume) could reduce the complete melting time by 34% in comparison to the bare-tube configuration. Melting characteristics were compared using average liquid fraction, average PCM temperature, and stored energy. It was recommended that the fin height should not exceed half of the annulus gap. The optimum fin volume was identified by comparing the enhancement ratio for examined configurations. Furthermore, for the same fin volume configurations, this study evaluated (i) whether a large number of short fins are beneficial or a smaller number of long fins and (ii) whether thick short fins are beneficial or thin long fins? Comparison results showed that a small number of long fins were more beneficial than that of more short fins and the melting characteristics of thin long fins were superior to that of the thick short fins. Finally, the optimum fin configuration was justified, and the priority sequence was suggested for the design of longitudinally finned-tube energy storage systems.
History
Publication title
Solar EnergyVolume
230Pagination
333-344ISSN
0038-092XDepartment/School
School of EngineeringPublisher
Pergamon-Elsevier Science LtdPlace of publication
The Boulevard, Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxford, England, Ox5 1GbRights statement
© 2021 International Solar Energy Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Repository Status
- Restricted