Effect of inner channel geometry on solidification performance of phase change material (PCM) in double-pipe thermal energy storage

Abstract

Advantages such as high energy storage density and low heat losses have made phase change materials (PCMs) preferable in energy storage. However, the very low thermal conductivity of PCMs is the most important obstacle to improving melting and solidification performance of PCMs. To improve the thermal conductivity of PCM, the combination of PCM with nanoparticles, fins, and metal foam is among the methods widely researched in the literature. The innovation of this study was to examine the effect of inner and outer channel configurations on the solidification rate in double-pipe energy storage with PCM. Thus, it was aimed to benefit from the same amount of stored energy more and at a lower cost. In this regard, solidification analyses were carried out for three different basic inner channel geometries. With the triangle-in-circle configuration, the solidification rate was increased by 5.5% to 13.2% compared to other configurations. It is anticipated that the data obtained in this study will be a guide for novel inner channel geometry designs that will increase solidification performance and heat transfer in double-pipe energy storage with PCM.