Numerical Study of a High-Temperature Latent Heat Thermal Energy Storage Device with AlSi₁₂ Alloy

Abstract

This paper explores the potential of thermal storage as an energy storage technology with cost advantages. The study uses numerical simulations to investigate the impact of adding porous material to the HTF side during solidification to improve the heat transfer effect of TES using AlSi12 alloy as the phase-change material. The research also examines the effects of adding porous dielectric materials and increasing air velocity on the discharge temperature, discharge power, and discharge time of high-temperature phase-change energy storage systems. The study found that the temperature difference of the PCM (increased), solidification time (reduced more than 85%), the outlet temperature of the air, and heat discharge power of the LHS did not vary significantly across different porous materials (copper foam, nickel foam, and silicon carbide foam) added to the HTF tube. These findings offer important information for the design of high-temperature phase-change energy storage devices and can guide future developments in this field.

Keywords

• thermal energy storage
• CFD simulation
• AlSi₁₂ alloy
• phase-change material
• porous media