Methodology for Designing a Hybrid Thermal Energy Storage Heat Sink

A thermal response model for designing a hybrid thermal energy storage (TES) heat sink is developed. The stabilization time and maximum operating (hot side) temperature-to-transition temperature difference are used to characterize the performance of the heat sink. The thermal properties of the PCM employed in the design are investigated. Integration of a design optimization algorithm into a thermal performance model of the TES-hybrid heat sink results in determination of a best design subject to geometric and heat loading constraints. A prototype based on this best design is build and used to benchmark the performance model. The performance measured is consistent with the simulation model predictions of performance.