Augmenting the thermal response of helical coil latent-heat storage systems with a central return tube configuration
Low-temperature stratification, high-volumetric storage capacity, and less-complicated material processing make phase-changing materials (PCMs) very suitable candidates for solar energy storage applications. However, their poor heat diffusivities and suboptimal containment designs severely limit the...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2023-11-01
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| Series: | Case Studies in Thermal Engineering |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214157X23009139 |
| _version_ | 1797660317438705664 |
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| author | Jasim M. Mahdi Azher M. Abed Hussein Alawai Al-Saaidi Nidhal Ben Khedher Raed Khalid Ibrahim Mouldi Ben Amara |
| author_facet | Jasim M. Mahdi Azher M. Abed Hussein Alawai Al-Saaidi Nidhal Ben Khedher Raed Khalid Ibrahim Mouldi Ben Amara |
| author_sort | Jasim M. Mahdi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Low-temperature stratification, high-volumetric storage capacity, and less-complicated material processing make phase-changing materials (PCMs) very suitable candidates for solar energy storage applications. However, their poor heat diffusivities and suboptimal containment designs severely limit their decent storage capabilities. In these systems, the arrangement of tubes conveying the heat transport fluid (HTF) plays a crucial role in heat communication between the PCM and HTF during phase transition. This study investigates a helical coil tube-and-shell thermal storage system integrated with a novel central return tube to enhance heat transfer effectiveness. Three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics simulations compare the proposed design against a baseline helical coil system without a return tube under equivalent conditions. Outcomes quantify the return tube's efficacy in augmenting heat transfer uniformity and accelerating phase transition. Adding the return tube markedly boosts heat storage and recovery rates, increasing charging by 88% and discharging by 56% versus the baseline. Moreover, total phase transition time reduces by 48% for melting and 36% for solidification with the return tube. The accelerated charging stems from sustained convective heat transfer inside the return tube even as the molten layer thickens. Meanwhile, enhanced solidification results from ongoing cooling of inner regions. Isotherm analysis visualizes the return tube's efficacy in maintaining thermal uniformity throughout the phase transition process. Overall, the return tube significantly improves PCM thermal response, demonstrating a novel but straightforward approach to address heat transfer limitations in latent thermal storage systems. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T18:29:02Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-8346873ce64140b1afaaf95cdce50c23 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2214-157X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T18:29:02Z |
| publishDate | 2023-11-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Case Studies in Thermal Engineering |
| spelling | doaj.art-8346873ce64140b1afaaf95cdce50c232023-10-13T13:54:00ZengElsevierCase Studies in Thermal Engineering2214-157X2023-11-0151103607Augmenting the thermal response of helical coil latent-heat storage systems with a central return tube configurationJasim M. Mahdi0Azher M. Abed1Hussein Alawai Al-Saaidi2Nidhal Ben Khedher3Raed Khalid Ibrahim4Mouldi Ben Amara5Department of Energy Engineering, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, 10071, IraqAir Conditioning and Refrigeration Techniques Engineering Department, Al-Mustaqbal University, Babylon, IraqDepartment of Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineering, Al-Turath University College, Baghdad, 27134, IraqDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Ha'il, Saudi Arabia; Laboratory of Thermal and Energetic Systems Studies (LESTE) at the National School of Engineering of Monastir, University of Monastir, Tunisia; Corresponding author. Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Ha'il, Saudi Arabia.Department of Medical Instrumentation Engineering, Al-Farahidi University, Baghdad, 10015, IraqApplied College, University of Ha'il, Saudi ArabiaLow-temperature stratification, high-volumetric storage capacity, and less-complicated material processing make phase-changing materials (PCMs) very suitable candidates for solar energy storage applications. However, their poor heat diffusivities and suboptimal containment designs severely limit their decent storage capabilities. In these systems, the arrangement of tubes conveying the heat transport fluid (HTF) plays a crucial role in heat communication between the PCM and HTF during phase transition. This study investigates a helical coil tube-and-shell thermal storage system integrated with a novel central return tube to enhance heat transfer effectiveness. Three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics simulations compare the proposed design against a baseline helical coil system without a return tube under equivalent conditions. Outcomes quantify the return tube's efficacy in augmenting heat transfer uniformity and accelerating phase transition. Adding the return tube markedly boosts heat storage and recovery rates, increasing charging by 88% and discharging by 56% versus the baseline. Moreover, total phase transition time reduces by 48% for melting and 36% for solidification with the return tube. The accelerated charging stems from sustained convective heat transfer inside the return tube even as the molten layer thickens. Meanwhile, enhanced solidification results from ongoing cooling of inner regions. Isotherm analysis visualizes the return tube's efficacy in maintaining thermal uniformity throughout the phase transition process. Overall, the return tube significantly improves PCM thermal response, demonstrating a novel but straightforward approach to address heat transfer limitations in latent thermal storage systems.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214157X23009139Phase change materialMeltingSolidificationHelical coilHeat exchanger |
| spellingShingle | Jasim M. Mahdi Azher M. Abed Hussein Alawai Al-Saaidi Nidhal Ben Khedher Raed Khalid Ibrahim Mouldi Ben Amara Augmenting the thermal response of helical coil latent-heat storage systems with a central return tube configuration Case Studies in Thermal Engineering Phase change material Melting Solidification Helical coil Heat exchanger |
| title | Augmenting the thermal response of helical coil latent-heat storage systems with a central return tube configuration |
| title_full | Augmenting the thermal response of helical coil latent-heat storage systems with a central return tube configuration |
| title_fullStr | Augmenting the thermal response of helical coil latent-heat storage systems with a central return tube configuration |
| title_full_unstemmed | Augmenting the thermal response of helical coil latent-heat storage systems with a central return tube configuration |
| title_short | Augmenting the thermal response of helical coil latent-heat storage systems with a central return tube configuration |
| title_sort | augmenting the thermal response of helical coil latent heat storage systems with a central return tube configuration |
| topic | Phase change material Melting Solidification Helical coil Heat exchanger |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214157X23009139 |
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