Parametric optimization of charging efficiency in latent heat thermal storage units using elliptical tubes and innovative fin configurations

IF 6.4 2区工程技术 Q1 MECHANICS International Communications in Heat and Mass Transfer Pub Date : 2025-02-04 DOI:10.1016/j.icheatmasstransfer.2025.108642

Runping Niu , Tingjun Wu , Chaofan Liu , Jianning Dong , Yan Zhang

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Abstract

The low thermal conductivity of phase change materials (PCM) limits the efficiency of latent heat thermal energy storage systems (LHTESS). This study addresses this challenge by optimizing the geometry of shell-and-tube storage units (TSU) to enhance charging efficiency. Using ANSYS Fluent and the enthalpy-porosity method, we investigated the effects of elliptical tube configurations and fin structures on PCM melting performance. Results revealed that optimizing the aspect ratio (AR) of the elliptical inner and outer tubes to 1:1.8 reduced charging time by 10.1 % compared to circular tubes. Introducing fins with a 150° opening angle further decreased charging time by 36.4 % compared to finless elliptical tubes and improved efficiency by 54.42 % over the baseline circular model. The study highlights the critical role of natural convection in enhancing heat transfer and provides actionable design insights for efficient LHTESS.

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采用椭圆管和创新翅片结构的潜热蓄热装置充能效率参数优化

相变材料（PCM）的低导热率限制了潜热储能系统的效率。本研究通过优化壳管式存储单元（TSU）的几何形状来提高充电效率，从而解决了这一挑战。利用ANSYS Fluent软件和焓孔率法，研究了椭圆管型和翅片结构对PCM熔化性能的影响。结果表明，将椭圆内外管长径比优化为1:8 .8时，充电时间比圆形管缩短10.1%；与无翅片椭圆管相比，引入开口角度为150°的翅片进一步减少了36.4%的充电时间，并在基准圆形模型的基础上提高了54.42%的效率。该研究强调了自然对流在加强传热方面的关键作用，并为高效的LHTESS提供了可行的设计见解。

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来源期刊

International Communications in Heat and Mass Transfer 工程技术-力学

CiteScore

11.00

自引率

10.00%

发文量

648

审稿时长

32 days

期刊介绍： International Communications in Heat and Mass Transfer serves as a world forum for the rapid dissemination of new ideas, new measurement techniques, preliminary findings of ongoing investigations, discussions, and criticisms in the field of heat and mass transfer. Two types of manuscript will be considered for publication: communications (short reports of new work or discussions of work which has already been published) and summaries (abstracts of reports, theses or manuscripts which are too long for publication in full). Together with its companion publication, International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, with which it shares the same Board of Editors, this journal is read by research workers and engineers throughout the world.