Thermal energy storage of phase change materials in the solidification process inside the quasi‐square heat exchanger: CFD simulation

Abstract

The high latent heat of phase change materials (PCMs) makes them one of the most important sources of heat energy storage systems. However, due to the slow rate of heat transfer in these materials, using conductive materials such as fins and nanoparticles could improve the thermal efficiency of these energy storage systems. So in this article, cross‐shaped fins and Copper(II) oxide nanoparticles with different synthesized forms and various volume fractions have been employed to increase the thermal efficiency of paraffin PCMs. In this simulation, three fin models based on the installed size, the shape of the synthesized nanoparticles in brick, cylindrical, and platelet forms, and the nanoparticle volume fraction of the Copper(II) oxide is 1%–4% are studied. Increasing the volumetric ratio of nanoparticle and shape coefficient decrease the time of solidification, while increasing the length of the cross‐shaped fins raises the solidification rate and improves heat transfer. Finally, it was found that when the inner and outer walls play a role in the solidification process at the same time, the solidification rate will increase by more than 66% as more zone of the surface is exposed to cold.