Numerical investigation of the air conditioning system performance assisted with energy storage of capsulated concave/convex phase change material

Abstract

One of the highest energy drains in homes and businesses is the air conditioning (AC) system. Thus, any slight improvement in the AC system performance can result in considerable energy savings. This numerical study aims to boost the AC performance in hot environments via thermal energy storage. This is accomplished by directly cooling the AC condenser using capsulated phase change materials (PCM). The PCM is capsulated in a new design of concave/convex (CX) plates to reduce the lengthy PCM solidification time and also enhance the AC performance. The PCM is solidified during a relatively low nighttime temperature and then cools the AC condenser during daytime operation. The proposed encapsulated PCM design's impact on the AC performance is assessed and compared to those of used flat plates. Using ANSYS Fluent, a mathematical equations model is developed and solved and then validated via an experimental test rig of the PCM flat plates. The effects of varying the size and number of concave/convex configurations are investigated. It is found that concave/convex PCM plates greatly minimize the solidification/melting periods compared to flat plates, making them effective in AC system daily work. Rising the CX diameter and numbers enhances the PCM melting and solidification rates and decreases the air outlet temperature. Moreover, the saved percentage of the power rises with the ambient temperature and airflow rate rising. Further, the AC power usage by adopting PCM concave/convex plates is saved by a maximum value of about 16 % and 7.5 % when working for 120 and 300 min, respectively.