Constructal enhancement of thermal transport in latent heat storage systems assisted with fins

Abstract

The aim of this study is to augment thermal transport in phase change materials (PCM) by an optimum installation of the fins. The study emphasizes to obtain best size and location of the fins to minimize the total melting time for the given fins to PCM volume ratio. Thus, the fins are resized and re-positioned according to the constructal theory. The fundamental principle of the theory is to configure limited numbers of fins at optimal position, where thermal transport potential is maximum. A numerical code based on conjugate heat transfer coupled enthalpy porosity approached is developed. The numerical results show that the reduction in size of fins at low temperature gradient and re-positioning them at high temperature gradient are found to be advantageous. In the present study, the fin to PCM volume is reduced by half based on the constructal theory. The proposed constructal fin design augments thermal performance by 4.38% than conventional configuration. The reduction in fins volume by half has not only increased thermal energy storage, but also decreased fins solid mass that can help to reduce the overall weight of thermal energy storage systems. It is also concluded that the fins should not be placed much near to the bottom surface to gain uniform thermal penetration throughout the enclosure.