Numerical Assessment of an Innovative Design of an Evacuated Tube Solar Collector Incorporated with PCM Embedded Metal Foam/Plate Fins

Mohamed Houcine Dhaou,Sofiene Mellouli,Faisal Alresheedi,Yassine El-Ghoul

doi:10.3390/su131910632

Mohamed Houcine Dhaou, Sofiene Mellouli + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/su131910632

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Abstract

The objective of this manuscript is to study the possibility of improving the thermal performance of an Evacuated Tube Solar Collector (ETSC) with the integration of a Phase Change Material (PCM) incorporated into metallic foam and fitted with plate fins. A 2D mathematical model has been proposed. Two types of metal foams (copper and nickel) were inserted. In addition, the effect of metal foam pore size of on heat transfer was studied. The results were acquired through numerical simulations of four different cases; namely, Case 1: pure PCM, Case 2: with metal foam, Case 3: with fins and Case 4: with metal foam and fins. The evaluation procedure involved observing the total change in Heat Transfer Fluid (HTF) temperature and melted PCM fraction during a single day. The results proved that the thermal performance of ETSC is improved considerably by inserting metal foam and fins simultaneously. The time required for the whole process is improved by almost 9% compared to the case of pure PCM, and 2% compared to the case of inserting only plate fins. Results revealed that the pore size of the metal foams slightly affects the dynamic process of heat storage/release in the ETSC/PCM system.

Highlights

In recent decades, global energy consumption has increased sharply
The main objective of this study is to develop a mathematical model and to simulate an Evacuated Tube Solar Collector (ETSC) integrated with Phase Change Material (PCM) incorporated into metallic foams and fitted with plate fins
Figure show the contours of the temperature and the melted for all cases of simulation

Summary

Introduction

There has been a significant increase in energy demand for domestic hot water. Faced with this situation, for environmental and economic reasons, the energy systems must be efficient and self-sufficient in energy. Renewable resources can be used in an efficient and sustainable manner when integrated with a storage energy system. New technologies based on the use of renewable energy as energy sources must be developed to reduce energy consumption [1]. Solar energy, which is considered to be a renewable energy, can help us reduce our dependence on other energy sources. Solar domestic hot water systems are perhaps the most commonly used solar energy device

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