Improved Melting of Latent Heat Storage Using Fin Arrays with Non-Uniform Dimensions and Distinct Patterns
Employing phase-change materials (PCM) is considered a very efficient and cost-effective option for addressing the mismatch between the energy supply and the demand. The high storage density, little temperature degradation, and ease of material processing register the PCM as a key candidate for the...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-01-01
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| Series: | Nanomaterials |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/12/3/403 |
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| author | Farqad T. Najim Hayder I. Mohammed Hussein M. Taqi Al-Najjar Lakshmi Thangavelu Mustafa Z. Mahmoud Jasim M. Mahdi Mohammadreza Ebrahimnataj Tiji Wahiba Yaïci Pouyan Talebizadehsardari |
| author_facet | Farqad T. Najim Hayder I. Mohammed Hussein M. Taqi Al-Najjar Lakshmi Thangavelu Mustafa Z. Mahmoud Jasim M. Mahdi Mohammadreza Ebrahimnataj Tiji Wahiba Yaïci Pouyan Talebizadehsardari |
| author_sort | Farqad T. Najim |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Employing phase-change materials (PCM) is considered a very efficient and cost-effective option for addressing the mismatch between the energy supply and the demand. The high storage density, little temperature degradation, and ease of material processing register the PCM as a key candidate for the thermal energy storage system. However, the sluggish response rates during their melting and solidification processes limit their applications and consequently require the inclusion of heat transfer enhancers. This research aims to investigate the potential enhancement of circular fins on intensifying the PCM thermal response in a vertical triple-tube casing. Fin arrays of non-uniform dimensions and distinct distribution patterns were designed and investigated to determine the impact of modifying the fin geometric characteristics and distribution patterns in various spatial zones of the heat exchanger. Parametric analysis on the various fin structures under consideration was carried out to determine the most optimal fin structure from the perspective of the transient melting evolution and heat storage rates while maintaining the same design limitations of fin material and volume usage. The results revealed that changing the fin dimensions with the heat-flow direction results in a faster charging rate, a higher storage rate, and a more uniform temperature distribution when compared to a uniform fin size. The time required to fully charge the storage system (fully melting of the PCM) was found to be reduced by up to 10.4%, and the heat storage rate can be improved by up to 9.3% compared to the reference case of uniform fin sizes within the same fin volume limitations. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T23:24:40Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-9fb92069e4ca476bb4be9055233d2771 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2079-4991 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T23:24:40Z |
| publishDate | 2022-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nanomaterials |
| spelling | doaj.art-9fb92069e4ca476bb4be9055233d27712023-11-23T17:20:16ZengMDPI AGNanomaterials2079-49912022-01-0112340310.3390/nano12030403Improved Melting of Latent Heat Storage Using Fin Arrays with Non-Uniform Dimensions and Distinct PatternsFarqad T. Najim0Hayder I. Mohammed1Hussein M. Taqi Al-Najjar2Lakshmi Thangavelu3Mustafa Z. Mahmoud4Jasim M. Mahdi5Mohammadreza Ebrahimnataj Tiji6Wahiba Yaïci7Pouyan Talebizadehsardari8Electrical Engineering Department, College of Engineering, Al-Iraqia University, Baghdad 10071, IraqDepartment of Physics, College of Education, University of Garmian, Kalar 46021, IraqDepartment of Energy Engineering, University of Baghdad, Baghdad 10071, IraqCenter for Transdisciplinary Research, Department of Pharmacology, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Science, Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha University, Chennai 600001, IndiaDepartment of Radiology and Medical Imaging, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj 11942, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Energy Engineering, University of Baghdad, Baghdad 10071, IraqDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Qom University of Technology, Qom 3718146645, IranCanmetENERGY Research Centre, Natural Resources Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 1M1, CanadaCentre for Sustainable Energy Use in Food Chains, Institute of Energy Futures, Brunel University London, Kingston Lane, Uxbridge, Middlesex UB8 3PH, UKEmploying phase-change materials (PCM) is considered a very efficient and cost-effective option for addressing the mismatch between the energy supply and the demand. The high storage density, little temperature degradation, and ease of material processing register the PCM as a key candidate for the thermal energy storage system. However, the sluggish response rates during their melting and solidification processes limit their applications and consequently require the inclusion of heat transfer enhancers. This research aims to investigate the potential enhancement of circular fins on intensifying the PCM thermal response in a vertical triple-tube casing. Fin arrays of non-uniform dimensions and distinct distribution patterns were designed and investigated to determine the impact of modifying the fin geometric characteristics and distribution patterns in various spatial zones of the heat exchanger. Parametric analysis on the various fin structures under consideration was carried out to determine the most optimal fin structure from the perspective of the transient melting evolution and heat storage rates while maintaining the same design limitations of fin material and volume usage. The results revealed that changing the fin dimensions with the heat-flow direction results in a faster charging rate, a higher storage rate, and a more uniform temperature distribution when compared to a uniform fin size. The time required to fully charge the storage system (fully melting of the PCM) was found to be reduced by up to 10.4%, and the heat storage rate can be improved by up to 9.3% compared to the reference case of uniform fin sizes within the same fin volume limitations.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/12/3/403latent heat storagephase change materialsmeltingtriple pipefin arrays |
| spellingShingle | Farqad T. Najim Hayder I. Mohammed Hussein M. Taqi Al-Najjar Lakshmi Thangavelu Mustafa Z. Mahmoud Jasim M. Mahdi Mohammadreza Ebrahimnataj Tiji Wahiba Yaïci Pouyan Talebizadehsardari Improved Melting of Latent Heat Storage Using Fin Arrays with Non-Uniform Dimensions and Distinct Patterns Nanomaterials latent heat storage phase change materials melting triple pipe fin arrays |
| title | Improved Melting of Latent Heat Storage Using Fin Arrays with Non-Uniform Dimensions and Distinct Patterns |
| title_full | Improved Melting of Latent Heat Storage Using Fin Arrays with Non-Uniform Dimensions and Distinct Patterns |
| title_fullStr | Improved Melting of Latent Heat Storage Using Fin Arrays with Non-Uniform Dimensions and Distinct Patterns |
| title_full_unstemmed | Improved Melting of Latent Heat Storage Using Fin Arrays with Non-Uniform Dimensions and Distinct Patterns |
| title_short | Improved Melting of Latent Heat Storage Using Fin Arrays with Non-Uniform Dimensions and Distinct Patterns |
| title_sort | improved melting of latent heat storage using fin arrays with non uniform dimensions and distinct patterns |
| topic | latent heat storage phase change materials melting triple pipe fin arrays |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/12/3/403 |
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