Systematic review on the use of heat pipes in latent heat thermal energy storage tanks

Abstract

This systematic review presents and discusses the previous research about hybrid devices which combine latent thermal energy storage (TES) technology and heat pipes. A bibliometric analysis of this issue shows how hybrid systems have globally grown popularity during time, providing details about the main researchers and research centres on this particular field. Then, the identified papers are assessed and categorized in two main sections, the experimental research carried out, and the numerical modelling of hybrid systems. Experimental research is later classified regarding the operating temperature range, and their final application. Numerical studies are also further categorized, accordingly to how heat pipes were modelled in this case. This review points out the lack of experimental studies at high temperatures, especially when many simulations extended their models (validated at low temperatures) to higher temperature designs. The paper provides details about the research performed, so the gap for future investigations can be spotted.