Experimental and model validation of a phase change material heat exchanger integrated into a real building

Abstract

Latent heat thermal energy storages (LHTES) are a promising technology with a wide range of applications in the framework of energy efficiency improvement. Phase change materials provide a big storage capacity, but their thermal conductivities are always extremely low. The use of finned tube heat exchangers is nowadays the best solution to enhance PCMs thermal performances. This allows significant charging and discharging rates. The major challenge concerns the balance between thermal performances and high material costs. A proper design of the heat transfer surfaces is essential to limit the system overall cost. Two different heat exchangers solutions, with radial and longitudinal fins are here examined. The design of the LHTES is performed by deploying a simplified FEM numerical model specifically developed for the application. A validation procedure based on laboratory tests with a small LHTES prototype was also carried out. The obtained results confirmed the reliability of the numerical model and justify its adoption as a tool for the design phase. The FEM model allows to effectively simulate the system thermal behaviour and assess the impact of the different HEX geometrical parameters on thermal performances. Based on this information it was possible to perform the optimization of the heat transfer surfaces and to derive the best heat exchanger layout in terms of material usage. The results showed that the solution with longitudinal fins is the most efficient, with 215 kg of steel less required for the realization of the finned heat exchanger.

Layout Simulation of Prefabricated Building Construction Based on the Markov Model

“…e landscape structure of the study area changed obviously in the early stage of the study section and gradually tended to be balanced in the later stage. e areas of urban residential landscapes, urban green space landscapes, road landscapes, and other construction landscapes show an increasing trend, while the areas of residential landscapes, agricultural landscapes, and woodland landscapes show a decreasing trend, all of which will be balanced and stable in 2025. e water landscape area fluctuates greatly every year, which is related to the water level, and the area change trend is not obvious [14].…”

Development of Intelligent CAD Technology for New Longitudinal Shell-Side Heat Exchange Equipment

“…If you buy this kind of software directly from abroad, the price is quite expensive, and it is difficult for domestic manufacturers to bear it. Figure 1 shows the hierarchical relationship of CAD system development [3]. Faced with this situation, according to the TENIA standard, a replacement system based on the Windows operating system that can cover the whole process of chemical equipment design (structural selection, strength calculation, design specification, material quotation, drawing of parts, and assembly drawings) is developed; a heater CAD system has important practical significance and application value.…”

CFD Analysis of a Latent Thermal Storage System (PCM) for Integration with an Air-Water Heat Pump

“…Once the volume is established, it becomes crucial to assess its compatibility with the type of heat exchanger employed [17]. In this work, a series of steel plates have been used to increase the heat exchange area of the storage system as an alternative to the classic configuration with pipes.…”