Evaluation of T-Shaped Fins With a Novel Layout for Improved Melting in a Triple-Tube Heat Storage System

Abstract

The effects of T-shaped fins on the improvement of phase change materials (PCM) melting are numerically investigated in vertical triple-tube storage containment. The PCM is held in the middle pipe of a triple-pipe heat exchanger while the heat transfer fluid flows through the internal and external pipes. The dimension effects of the T-shaped fins on the melting process of the PCM are investigated to determine the optimum case. Results indicate that while using T-shaped fins improves the melting performance of the PCM, the improvement potential is mainly governed by the fin’s body rather than the head. Hence, the proposed T-shaped fin did not noticeably improve melting at the bottom of the PCM domain; additionally, a flat fin is added to the optimal case (Added-Fin case) and compared to the No-Fin, Uniform-Fin, and Optimum T-shaped Fin cases (no added fin). The analysis shows that the total heat storage rate of the Added-Fin case increased by 141.7%, 58.8%, and 47.6% compared with the No-Fin, Uniform-Fin, and the Optimum T-shaped Fin cases, respectively. Furthermore, the total melting time for the Added-Fin case was 1882 s and decreased by 59.6%, 38.4%, and 33.6% compared with those of the No-Fin, Uniform-Fin, and the Optimum T-shaped Fin (Optimum) cases, respectively.

Evaluation of the solidification process in a double‐tube latent heat storage unit equipped with circular fins with optimum fin spacing

“…21 Although PCMs have engaged the researcher's interest, they regularly suffer from low thermal conductivity and low thermal diffusion rates, prohibiting their widespread usage. 22 To solve this problem, scholars have been examining different techniques such as nanoparticle distribution within the heat transfer fluid (HTF), 23,24 channel modification, 25,26 the use of extended surfaces, 27,28 and composite PCMs 29,30 to improve thermophysical properties of the PCM. 31 For this issue, Khajuria et al 32 examined the effect of channel geometry on the heat transfer enhancement of a specific type of bio-PCM (honeybee wax) as a heat storage medium encompassed in the double pipe heat exchanger.…”

Numerical simulation study of the effect of mechanical vibration on heat transfer in a six-fin latent heat thermal energy storage unit

“…H.I. Mohammed et al [23] numerically investigated the effect of T-fin on the melting of PCM, result shows that the total heat storage rate of the Added-Fin case increased by 141.7%, 58.8%, and 47.6% compared with the No-Fin, Uniform-Fin, and the Optimum T-shaped Fin cases, respectively. Furthermore, the total melting time for the Added-Fin case was 1882 s and decreased by 59.6%, 38.4%, and 33.6% compared with those of the No-Fin, Uniform-Fin, and the Optimum T-shaped Fin (Optimum) cases, respectively.…”