The Thermal Charging Performance of Finned Conical Thermal Storage System Filled with Nano-Enhanced Phase Change Material

Ghalambaz, Mohammad; Shirivand, Hassan; Ayoubloo, Kasra Ayoubi; Mehryan, S. A.M.; Younis, Obai; Talebizadehsardari, Pouyan; Yaïci, Wahiba

Abstract

A latent heat thermal energy storage (LHTES) unit can store a notable amount of heat in a compact volume. However, the charging time could be tediously long due to weak heat transfer. Thus, an improvement of heat transfer and a reduction in charging time is an essential task. The present research aims to improve the thermal charging of a conical shell-tube LHTES unit by optimizing the shell-shape and fin-inclination angle in the presence of nanoadditives. The governing equations for the natural convection heat transfer and phase change heat transfer are written as partial differential equations. The finite element method is applied to solve the equations numerically. The Taguchi optimization approach is then invoked to optimize the fin-inclination angle, shell aspect ratio, and the type and volume fraction of nanoparticles. The results showed that the shell-aspect ratio and fin inclination angle are the most important design parameters influencing the charging time. The charging time could be changed by 40% by variation of design parameters. Interestingly a conical shell with a small radius at the bottom and a large radius at the top (small aspect ratio) is the best shell design. However, a too-small aspect ratio could entrap the liquid-PCM between fins and increase the charging time. An optimum volume fraction of 4% is found for nanoparticle concentration.

Citation

Ghalambaz, M., Shirivand, H., Ayoubloo, K. A., Mehryan, S. A., Younis, O., Talebizadehsardari, P., & Yaïci, W. (2021). The Thermal Charging Performance of Finned Conical Thermal Storage System Filled with Nano-Enhanced Phase Change Material. Molecules, 26(6), Article 1605. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26061605

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Mar 10, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Mar 14, 2021
• Publication Date: Mar 2, 2021
• Deposit Date: Apr 28, 2025
• Publicly Available Date: May 14, 2025
• Journal: Molecules
• Electronic ISSN: 1420-3049
• Publisher: MDPI
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 26
• Issue: 6
• Article Number: 1605
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26061605
• Keywords: conical shell-tube thermal energy storage unit; nano-enhanced phase change material; inclined fin; minimum thermal charging time
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/22727000
• Publisher URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/26/6/1605