Abstract
Shell-and-tube latent heat thermal energy storage units employ phase change materials to store and release heat at a nearly constant temperature, deliver high effectiveness of heat transfer, as well as high charging/discharging power. Even though many studies have investigated the material formulation, heat transfer through simulation, and experimental studies, there is limited research dedicated to the storage unit design methodology. This study proposes a comprehensive methodology that includes the material assessment with multi-attribute decision-making and multi-objective decision-making tools, epsilon-NTU method, and cost minimization using Genetic Algorithm. The methodology is validated by a series of experimental results, and implemented in the optimization of a storage unit for solar absorption chiller application. A unit cost of as low as USD 8396 per unit is reported with a power of 1.42 kW. The methodology proves to be an efficient, reliable, and systematic tool to fulfill the preliminary design of shell-and-tube LHTES before the computational fluid dynamics or detailed experimental studies are engaged.
Highlights
The demand for improving energy efficiency to battle with the shortage of energy supply, volatile oil prices, and climate change is increasing [1]
This section seeks to validate the ε-number of transfer units (NTU) method with experimental results for different types of shell-and-tube latent heat thermal energy storage (LHTES) designs mentioned in the literature, as well as apply the cost optimization in a real application
The design of shell-and-tube LHTES is a complicated process encompassing a wide range of issues such as material selection, geometric design, and numerical and experimental study
Summary
The demand for improving energy efficiency to battle with the shortage of energy supply, volatile oil prices, and climate change is increasing [1]. Previous studies have reported design integration of LHTES in an extensive range of applications, including concentrating solar power plants (CSP) [9], solar-absorption chilling systems [10], buildings [11,12], waste thermal energy recovery [13], and thermal management of electronics [14]. TNheosneesthtuedleisess, papthvruoeatsvialetiRadisboetelcnueeaadnalpilpteylopyssa,rpswvoiraaboeicivlrlhaiietebdpysleoewfraoatirepptdhsophsramseomilaobl-curiahlelinteteiyds-fc-fwftreouicitrbtethsiervhimaLee,Hlmolc‐rToaaetEmneedSrfpif‐daertuelechatsbiiseevgsneneLs,s.HicsvmoTemE,enflSpterdmexehisbeeitlgnhens,oi.advnoedl,ofglceoyxmiwbphleui,ctahantsidoysnctaoelmmly‐atically selects the most suitable material for intended applications [26,27]. In this method, will the individual properties be assessed, and the collective performance. In this study, we present a comprehensive methodology for the design of shell-and-tube LHTES units which is based on the multi-criteria material assessment methodology and includes geometric configuration and material-geometry optimization. The detailed work4floofw will be elaborated on
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