A Review on Active Heat Transfer Enhancement Techniques within Latent Heat Thermal Energy Storage Systems

Abstract

Renewable energy resources require energy storage techniques to curb problems with intermittency. One potential solution is the use of phase change materials (PCMs) in latent heat thermal energy storage (LHTES) systems. Despite the high energy storage density of PCMs, their thermal response rate is restricted by low thermal conductivity. The topic of heat transfer enhancement techniques for increasing thermal performance of LHTES systems has mainly focused on passive heat transfer enhancement techniques with less attention towards active methods. Active heat transfer enhancement techniques require external power supplied to the system. In this paper, recent advances in active heat transfer enhancement techniques within LHTES systems are reviewed, including mechanical aids, vibration, jet impingement, injection, and external fields. The pertinent findings related to the field are summarized in relation to the charging and discharging processes of PCMs. Suggestions for future research are proposed, and the importance of additional energy input for storage is discussed.

Heat Transfer Enhancements Assessment in Hot Water Generation with Phase Change Materials (PCMs): A Review

“…Active methods, unlike passive ones, employ external sources or auxiliary tools to enhance heat transfer [69]. Shank and Tiari [46] highlighted various approaches to improve HTE in PCM systems, such as mechanical aids, vibration, jet impingement, injection, and external fields. Three of these techniques stand out as potential starting points for further research in hot water generation.…”

“…PCMs demonstrate efficient heat transfer during their molten phase, primarily facilitated by natural convection. However, as they solidify, due to their low thermal conductivity, a reduced heat transfer and performance between the PCM and the HTF is shown [3,46]. Consequently, charging and discharging times are prolonged, and the energy storage and release capacity of PCMs are reduced [22,33,47,48].…”

Solving Innovative Problems of Thrust Vector Control Based on Euler's Scientific Legacy

“…Aidoun et al [20] and Koirala et al [21] proposed detailed reviews of recent numerical and experimental investigations of the ejector and its applications. Koirala et al [21] and Shank and Tiari [22] considered the current state of operation and measures to modify the design of ejectors for various applications. High-speed flows cover a wide range of modern directions of experimental and numerical studies, both in fundamental scientific problems of internal and external gas dynamics and in some new practical problems [23].…”

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“…Extensive research has been undertaken with the aim of enhancing the thermal efficiency of LHTES systems [13,14]. These studies have focused on various approaches, including the use of metal fins or metal foam [15,16], dispersing nanoparticles in PCM to improve overall heat exchange efficiency [17,18], and packaging PCM to improve heat transfer uniformity [19,20].…”