Vertical Latent Heat Thermal Energy Storage System with Concentric Grid Fins

Abstract

In vertical latent heat thermal energy storage systems (VLHTES), fins can improve thermal performance of phase change material (PCM). An investigation of high-conductive fins configurations is presented in this study as a means of increasing the thermal conductivity of PCM. We examine two configurations of VLHTES unit to examine the thermal performance. One configuration contains discus mesh fins and the other having no any fins. In this proposed model, paraffin wax (RT58) is used as a PCM and water as heat transfer fluid (HTF). A two-dimensional numerical model including natural convection and conduction was considered using the finite volume method (FVM). On the basis of the different input parameters, an experimental validation was conducted. With rises the temperature of HTF 85 °C to 95 °C, at flow rate is 0.015 kg/sec., the unit with discus mesh fins improve temperature uniformity and reduces the overall melting time by 26.54 % and 39.13 % as compared with no fins unit. In the case of increasing the HTF flow from 0.013 to 0.018 kg/sec., reduces the melting time by around 7%. The result revels that the discus mesh improved thermal response during melting.