Performance enhancement of PCM latent heat thermal energy storage system utilizing a modified webbed tube heat exchanger

Abstract

In this study, a novel modified webbed tube heat exchanger was introduced and numerically investigated, to enhance the thermal performance of phase change material (PCM) thermal energy storage (TES) system. To evaluate the thermal performance for this heat exchanger its performance was compared with two types of heat exchanger. These heat exchangers included: the webbed tube heat exchanger and the triple tube heat exchanger. Two-dimensional numerical models were developed. The models enabled us to simulate conduction and natural convection heat transfer mechanisms. The process of solidification (discharging) was monitored during the simulation. The results showed that the PCM solidification process accelerates by 41% when utilizing the modified webbed tube heat exchanger compared to the webbed tube heat exchanger.

Keywords

• PCM
• Solidification
• Thermal energy storage
• Heat exchanger