Session: 3.5.1 - Coupled Multiphysics Simulation I

Paper Number: 157456

157456 - Improving Performance of Latent Heat Thermal Energy Storage System by Integrating Non-Standard Fin Design Configurations 

Abstract: 

The widespread implementation of renewable energy solutions necessitates efficient latent heat storage (LHS) systems. This study aims to improve the charging/melting efficiency of an LHS system by designing and optimizing nature-inspired fins. A two-dimensional heat transfer model is developed to analyze the melting process numerically and examine the melting behavior of the phase change material (PCM), specifically RT-82, in a fin-equipped LHS system. Previous research has shown few integrations of natural convection (NC) with metal foam, nanoparticles, and fins. This study explores how different fin designs, metal foams, nanoparticles, and NC affect the system's performance. It assesses the Fourier number changes from 0.015 to 0.16 while maintaining a constant Stefan number of 0.20. The research tracks the dynamic temperature distribution and interactions between fin configurations and NC to evaluate the PCM's charging/melting dynamics over time, considering the non-thermal equilibrium between nanoPCM/PCM and metal foam. Findings reveal that NC markedly impacts the melting patterns within the LHTES (Latent Heat Thermal Energy Storage) system, notably enhancing the charging/melting rate compared to configurations without NC. Improved fin designs and increased fin numbers lead to more uniform temperature distributions and higher melting rates by enhancing thermal conduction and NC interactions. The typically low thermal conductivity in PCM storage devices often leads to less than optimal performance, which this research addresses by introducing nanoparticles like CuO, Cu and Al₂O₃, and using copper metal foams. Furthermore, the study evaluates how metal foam porosity and nanoparticle volume fraction affect the LHTES system's charging/melting efficiency using the enthalpy-porosity technique.

Presenting Author: Prashant Saini National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)

Presenting Author Biography: I am a Post-Doctoral Researcher at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in the United States, with a strong focus on solar thermal systems for industrial applications. I hold a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology Mandi, where my dissertation centered on designing and developing systems for the efficient utilization of solar heat in industrial process. My research includes advancing Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) technologies, heat storage solutions, and system integration to reduce dependency on fossil fuels in industrial processes. Currently, I am engaged in projects that explore innovative ways to store and deliver solar heat for high-temperature applications, aiming to make renewable energy a practical choice for industries. Through my work, I seek to drive the adoption of solar-based energy systems that contribute to sustainable and low-carbon industrial operations.