A review of materials, heat transfer and phase change problem formulation for latent heat thermal energy storage systems (LHTESS)

2010 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 615-628 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francis Agyenim ◽  
Neil Hewitt ◽  
Philip Eames ◽  
Mervyn Smyth
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Energy Storage ◽  
Phase Change ◽  
Latent Heat ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Thermal Energy Storage ◽  
Storage Systems ◽  
Problem Formulation ◽  
Thermal Energy Storage Systems ◽  
Change Problem

scholarly journals Nano-Enhanced Phase Change Materials in Latent Heat Thermal Energy Storage Systems: A Review

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (13) ◽  
pp. 3821
Author(s):  
Kassianne Tofani ◽  
Saeed Tiari
Keyword(s):  
Energy Storage ◽  
Phase Change ◽  
Latent Heat ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Thermal Energy Storage ◽  
Phase Change Materials ◽  
Storage Systems ◽  
Heat Pipes ◽  
Energy Storage Systems ◽  
Thermal Energy Storage Systems

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.

scholarly journals The Impact of Heat Exchangers’ Constructions on the Melting and Solidification Time of Phase Change Materials

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (18) ◽  
pp. 4840
Author(s):  
Ewelina Radomska ◽  
Lukasz Mika ◽  
Karol Sztekler ◽  
Lukasz Lis
Keyword(s):  
Energy Storage ◽  
Phase Change ◽  
Latent Heat ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Thermal Energy Storage ◽  
Heat Exchangers ◽  
Phase Change Materials ◽  
Storage Systems ◽  
Energy Storage Systems ◽  
Thermal Energy Storage Systems

An application of latent heat thermal energy storage systems with phase change materials seems to be unavoidable in the present world. The latent heat thermal energy storage systems allow for storing excessive heat during low demand and then releasing it during peak demand. However, a phase change material is only one of the components of a latent heat thermal energy storage system. The second part of the latent heat thermal energy storage is a heat exchanger that allows heat transfer between a heat transfer fluid and a phase change material. Thus, the main aim of this review paper is to present and systematize knowledge about the heat exchangers used in the latent heat thermal energy storage systems. Furthermore, the operating parameters influencing the phase change time of phase change materials in the heat exchangers, and the possibilities of accelerating the phase change are discussed. Based on the literature reviewed, it is found that the phase change time of phase change materials in the heat exchangers can be reduced by changing the geometrical parameters of heat exchangers or by using fins, metal foams, heat pipes, and multiple phase change materials. To decrease the phase change material’s phase change time in the tubular heat exchangers it is recommended to increase the number of tubes keeping the phase change material’s mass constant. In the case of tanks filled with spherical phase change material’s capsules, the capsules’ diameter should be reduced to shorten the phase change time. However, it is found that some changes in the constructions of heat exchangers reduce the melting time of the phase change materials, but they increase the solidification time.

Effect of Fin Orientation on Melting Process in Horizontal Double Pipe Thermal Energy Storage Systems

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Nesrine Boulaktout ◽  
El-Hacène Mezaache ◽  
Mohamed Teggar ◽  
Müslüm Arici ◽  
K.A.R. Ismail ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Energy Storage ◽  
Phase Change ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Thermal Energy Storage ◽  
Storage Systems ◽  
Melting Process ◽  
Storage Unit ◽  
Charging Time ◽  
Thermal Energy Storage Systems

Abstract Immersion of fins in latent heat thermal energy storage systems has been used as an influential approach to remedy the poor thermal conductivity of phase-change materials. Present paper numerically investigates heat transfer and phase change improvement by means of longitudinal fins in a shell and tube thermal energy storage unit. The main aim of this study is to investigate the effect of fin orientation on the performance of the storage unit. Six configurations of different fin numbers (2, 4 and 8 fins) and orientations (π/2, π/4, and π/8) are tested. For simulations, a 2D mathematical model incorporating the enthalpy-porosity method and finite volume techniques are established and solved by ANSYS-Fluent. The numerical predictions are successfully validated by comparison with experimental and numerical data from the literature. Heat transfer characteristics and melting process are analyzed through streamlines, isotherms, mean temperature, heat flux and heat transfer coefficient as well as transient melting front position and liquid fractions. Results show that orientation of fins has significant impact on the charging time for two cases (2 and 4 fins) whereas no significant reduction in charging time was obtained for the case of 8 fins. In case of utilizing 2 fins, a fin orientation of 0° (vertical fins) shortens the charging time by up to 2.5 folds compared to the horizontal fins (90°). These results could help designing efficient latent thermal energy storage units.

New Design of a Bimetallic Finned Tube for the Use in Latent Heat Thermal Energy Storage Units

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Georg Urschitz ◽  
Jens Brier ◽  
Heimo Walter ◽  
Roland Mertz ◽  
Friedrich Bleicher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Energy Storage ◽  
Heat Exchanger ◽  
Latent Heat ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Thermal Energy Storage ◽  
Storage Systems ◽  
Energy Storage Systems ◽  
Thermal Energy Storage Systems ◽  
Change Material

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.

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