Melting performance improvement of phase change materials with thermal energy storage unit using nanoparticles

Abstract

The world is facing two major problems today, as imbalance of supply and demand of the energy and the continues deterioration of the environment. Latent thermal energy storage with phase change material plays a vital rule in resolving this problem. The current study investigates the numerical simulation of phase change material with novel fins configuration in the triplex-tube storage unit. But their low thermal conductivity is the main problem by affecting the energy storage. To enhance the heat transfer rate within the system, novel longitudinal triangular and traditional rectangular fins with a combination of hybrid nanoparticles (Cu-TiO2) are employed. In summary, utilizing novel fins to improve heat transfer rate in conjunction with nanoparticles is highly effective for improving the phase change material melting process in thermal energy storage systems. The usage of nanoparticles speeds up the melting rate 33.5%- Case A, 20%-Case B, 19.4%-Case C, and 18% for Case D. Moreover, when compared to rectangular-shaped fins, the use of longitudinal triangular -shaped fins accelerates the PCM melting rate. For instance, the melting rate in Case C (fins with longitudinal triangular form) is higher than in Case F (fins with a rectangle shape).

Keywords

• Phase change materials (molten salt)
• Triplex tube heat exchanger
• Nanoparticles
• Novel longitudinal triangular fins