Hybrid heat transfer enhancement for latent-heat thermal energy storage systems: A review

Author(s):  
Jasim M. Mahdi ◽  
Sina Lohrasbi ◽  
Emmanuel C. Nsofor
Author(s):  
Georg Urschitz ◽  
Jens Brier ◽  
Heimo Walter ◽  
Roland Mertz ◽  
Friedrich Bleicher ◽  
...  

The use of finned tubes as enhancement method to increase the heat flow rate into a phase change material, which has in many cases a low thermal conductivity, is a common method. A highly efficient and easy-to-assemble solution for finned heat exchanger tubes is a key component for innovative thermal energy storage systems which play a key-role in electricity production and industrial heat management. In the present article the results of the investigation for different designs of bimetallic heat exchanger tubes is presented. These tube designs are developed for the use in latent heat thermal energy storage systems (LHTES) at a medium temperature range. For the use in latent heat thermal energy storage systems, the probably high pressure of the heat transfer medium and the high temperature differences between the operating temperature and the ambient temperature are challenging. Therefore, the bimetallic finned heat exchanger tube consists of a steel tube, where the heat transfer fluid flows, and an aluminum tube with longitudinal fins, which should improve the heat transfer to the phase change material. Due to different thermal expansion coefficients, displacements of the tubes are given. To guarantee a high heat transfer rate between the two connected tubes the contact between aluminum and steel plays an important role. In the present study 4 prototypes (including the new design) were designed, analyzed and compared on the connection strength. Long-term tests for simulating the application in a LHTES were done to determine the creep rupture properties of the compositions. All prototypes were tested successfully; the new design is convinced in many aspects of that challenge and is submitted to the Austrian patent office. Main advantages of the new design are the simple production and assembling compared to other analyzed prototypes. Furthermore, the new design shows the best results under the analyzed operation conditions and the layout of the geometry has a high optimization potential in terms of stresses.


Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (13) ◽  
pp. 3821
Author(s):  
Kassianne Tofani ◽  
Saeed Tiari

Latent heat thermal energy storage systems (LHTES) are useful for solar energy storage and many other applications, but there is an issue with phase change materials (PCMs) having low thermal conductivity. This can be enhanced with fins, metal foam, heat pipes, multiple PCMs, and nanoparticles (NPs). This paper reviews nano-enhanced PCM (NePCM) alone and with additional enhancements. Low, middle, and high temperature PCM are classified, and the achievements and limitations of works are assessed. The review is categorized based upon enhancements: solely NPs, NPs and fins, NPs and heat pipes, NPs with highly conductive porous materials, NPs and multiple PCMs, and nano-encapsulated PCMs. Both experimental and numerical methods are considered, focusing on how well NPs enhanced the system. Generally, NPs have been proven to enhance PCM, with some types more effective than others. Middle and high temperatures are lacking compared to low temperature, as well as combined enhancement studies. Al2O3, copper, and carbon are some of the most studied NP materials, and paraffin PCM is the most common by far. Some studies found NPs to be insignificant in comparison to other enhancements, but many others found them to be beneficial. This article also suggests future work for NePCM and LHTES systems.


1979 ◽  
Vol 101 (3) ◽  
pp. 507-510 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Montakhab

Convective heating or cooling of granular solids or porous media is of interest in the design of thermal energy storage systems. The solutions to the energy initial boundary value problems governing convective heat transfer between a fixed bed of granular solids and a steady flow of heating or cooling fluid are presented. The storage system is considered to be initially in thermal equilibrium at a uniform temperature, a step change in the inlet temperature of the working fluid is imposed, and the thermal response of the system predicted. The results are valid for gases and liquids when the temperature gradient in the solid material is small and axial conduction effect is negligible in comparison with the convective heat transfer. Unlike the previously available solutions to this problem, the results presented are in closed form. This greatly simplifies evaluation and design of thermal energy storage systems of this general type.


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