Abstract
The practical use of latent thermal energy storage (LTES) system is limited by the low thermal conductivity of the available Phase Change Materials (PCMs). In this study, the elliptical fin is proposed and applied to Horizontal Double Tube LTES Unit (HDT-LTESU) for improving the performance of thermal storage. Paraffin wax is used as PCM that is placed in the annulus between tube and shell. Three-dimensional numerical simulation based on enthalpy porosity method is performed to study the characteristics of the PCM melting/solidification and the performance of charging/discharging thermal energy of HDT-LTESU with different aspect ratios elliptical fins. The mechanism of enhanced thermal energy storage is also verified and analyzed by the entransy theory. It was found that the addition of elliptical fins can effectively improve convection heat transfer of PCM at the top and bottom of the annulus. Further, the high aspect ratio fins are more favorable for improving the comprehensive performance enhancement, and enhancement ratio can reach up to maximum 16.9% and 13.8% for melting and solidification, respectively. The entransy dissipation is reduced, and the phase change process of heat transfer is improved.
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