TY - JOUR
T1 - Numerical studies on the influence of natural convection under inclination on optimal aluminium proportions and fin spacings in a rectangular aluminium finned latent-heat thermal energy storage
AU - Kasper, Lukas
AU - Pernsteiner, Dominik
AU - Koller, Martin
AU - Schirrer, Alexander
AU - Jakubek, S.
AU - Hofmann, René
PY - 2021
Y1 - 2021
N2 - Phase change material (PCM) is applicable in various use cases, such as in a novel hybrid steam/latent heat
storage system where containers filled with PCM are placed at the shell surface of a Ruths steam storage (RSS) for
retrofitting. The considered approximately rectangular PCM cavity design includes aluminium fins, which is a
common choice for heat transfer enhancement. Numerical studies were conducted with two separate numerical
models to analyse melting and solidification of PCM in such cavity. Varying aluminium proportions, as well as
varying fin spacings were simulated under different orientations of the PCM cavity and their impact on charging/
discharging speed was analysed, providing a foundation for design optimization of the considered geometry.
Guideline values for optimal aluminium ratio and optimal fin spacing could be obtained. Significant angular
dependency on the thermophysical behaviour could be observed during melting, whereas the effect of natural
convection during solidification was found to be negligible. The results of this work provide important insight to
facilitate the design process of rectangular aluminium finned PCM cavities.
AB - Phase change material (PCM) is applicable in various use cases, such as in a novel hybrid steam/latent heat
storage system where containers filled with PCM are placed at the shell surface of a Ruths steam storage (RSS) for
retrofitting. The considered approximately rectangular PCM cavity design includes aluminium fins, which is a
common choice for heat transfer enhancement. Numerical studies were conducted with two separate numerical
models to analyse melting and solidification of PCM in such cavity. Varying aluminium proportions, as well as
varying fin spacings were simulated under different orientations of the PCM cavity and their impact on charging/
discharging speed was analysed, providing a foundation for design optimization of the considered geometry.
Guideline values for optimal aluminium ratio and optimal fin spacing could be obtained. Significant angular
dependency on the thermophysical behaviour could be observed during melting, whereas the effect of natural
convection during solidification was found to be negligible. The results of this work provide important insight to
facilitate the design process of rectangular aluminium finned PCM cavities.
U2 - 10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2020.116448
DO - 10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2020.116448
M3 - Article
SN - 1359-4311
VL - 190
JO - Applied Thermal Engineering
JF - Applied Thermal Engineering
IS - 116448
ER -