首页|No fins attached? Numerical analysis of internal-external fins coupled PCM melting for solar applications
No fins attached? Numerical analysis of internal-external fins coupled PCM melting for solar applications
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NSTL
Elsevier
Thermal energy storage/sink is imperative for any type of solar energy harnessing system/technology. However, the inevitable challenge remains in developing and optimizing a thermal energy storage (TES) system suitable for long cyclic operation. This work numerically analyses the melting characteristics of phase change material (PCM; RT42)-based latent thermal energy storage (LTES) as a two-dimensional rectangular enclosure. The consequence of utilizing internal-external extended surfaces (fins) with realistic convective boundary condition is studied for photovoltaic thermal (PVT) applications. The application of internal-external fins is intended for enhancing the charging (melting) duration according to the long cyclic solar operation and better dissipation of heat after complete melting. Three kind of fins-rectangular, triangular, and Y-type- are investigated for two orientations of storage/sink enclosures-upright (θ = 90°) and inclined (θ = 35°). Moreover, three fin configurations are analyzed-equal, decreasing and increasing-stepped-based on the arrangement of fins along the enclosure height. Two-dimensional, transient numerical simulations are conducted for governing PCM melting, contemplating the consequences of natural convection. The performance assessment of each storage unit (orientation/fin-type/fin-arrangement) is made based on parameters such as time enhancement ratio, suppression ratio, liquid fraction, temperature distribution, melt velocity magnitude, storage capacity/rate, and enhancement in Nusselt number. The melting is delayed for triangular and Y-fins enclosures as compared to that for rectangular fins. Equal and increasing-stepped Y-fin arrangements yielded the largest time enhancement ratios of 42.38% and 29.86% for inclined and upright enclosures, respectively. Moreover, Y-fins-based enclosure produced a larger average suppression ratio as compared to other types of fins. A 2.56, 2.67, and 2.64 times enhancement in Nusselt number is observed for increasing-stepped fin arrangement of rectangular, triangular, and Y-finned upright enclosures, respectively. However, for the inclined enclosure, a 2.32 times enhancement in Nusselt number is reported for increasing-stepped Y-fin.
MeltingPCMExtended surfacesFinsNusselt numberPhotovoltaic thermalLatent thermal energy storageThermal management
Mohit Barthwal、Dibakar Rakshit
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Department of Energy Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology
NSTL
Elsevier
