The potential of arc-shaped fins for expedited solidification in triplex-tube latent heat storage: Parametric investigation

Boujelbene, Mohamed; Mahdi, Jasim M.; Sultan, Hakim S.; Homod, Raad Z.; Yvaz, A.; Chatroudi, Ilia Shojaeinasab; Talebizadehsardari, Pouyan

Abstract

Phase change materials (PCMs) enable efficient thermal energy storage (TES) but suffer from poor thermal response. This study introduces and optimizes a novel arc-shaped fin configuration to improve heat recovery during PCM solidification in a horizontal triplex-tube TES unit. The effects of fin base length and inter-fin angle on solidification time, temperature distribution, and heat recovery rate are systematically analyzed. An asymmetric base length of 15 mm for internal fins and 10 mm for external fins substantially expedites solidification. This is attributed to enhanced heat conduction from the larger surface area of longer internal fins and increased natural convection from reduced external fin blockage. Furthermore, compact 0° inter-fin angles create extensive fin-free zones that encourage convection. The optimized arc-shaped fins reduce solidification time by about 75 % and elevate heat recovery rate by 284 % versus no fins. They also significantly outperform conventional longitudinal fins, which only achieved 47 % faster solidification and 80 % greater heat recovery over no fins. This highlights the profoundly favorable solidification enhancement and temperature uniformity offered by properly designed arc-shaped fins.

Citation

Boujelbene, M., Mahdi, J. M., Sultan, H. S., Homod, R. Z., Yvaz, A., Chatroudi, I. S., & Talebizadehsardari, P. (2024). The potential of arc-shaped fins for expedited solidification in triplex-tube latent heat storage: Parametric investigation. Journal of Building Engineering, 82, Article 108176. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2023.108176

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 16, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Nov 21, 2023
• Publication Date: Apr 1, 2024
• Deposit Date: Apr 28, 2025
• Journal: Journal of Building Engineering
• Electronic ISSN: 2352-7102
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 82
• Article Number: 108176
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2023.108176
• Keywords: Mechanics of Materials; Safety, Risk, Reliability and Quality; Building and Construction; Architecture; Civil and Structural Engineering
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/27599758
• Publisher URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352710223023562?via%3Dihub
• Additional Information: This article is maintained by: Elsevier; Article Title: The potential of arc-shaped fins for expedited solidification in triplex-tube latent heat storage: Parametric investigation; Journal Title: Journal of Building Engineering; CrossRef DOI link to publisher maintained version: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2023.108176; Content Type: article; Copyright: © 2023 Published by Elsevier Ltd.