<p>In the current study, the thermal characteristics of a latent heat thermal energy storage system enhanced with annular and radial fins are investigated experimentally. Rubitherm RT-55 is used as the phase change material (PCM) and is enclosed within a vertical cylindrical container. Water is used as the heat transfer fluid (HTF) which is circulated in a copper pipe that passes through the center of the container. Annual and radial fins are attached to the central pipe to enhance the heat transfer to or from the PCM. The volume occupied by the fins is kept constant for all the studied cases. For the charging process, hot HTF is circulated through the system until the entire mass of solid PCM inside the container is melted. For the discharging process, cold HTF is pumped through the system until all the molten PCM had solidified. Twelve k-type thermocouples are inserted into the container at different levels to monitor the PCM temperature during both charging and discharging processes. A thermal imaging camera is used to take thermal images of the latent heat thermal energy system as it operates. The effects of different number of annular and radial fins attached to the central pipe on the thermal performance of the latent heat thermal energy storage system during the charging and discharging processes have been studied.</p>

Experimental Investigation of Latent Heat Thermal Energy Storage System Enhanced by Annular and Radial Fins

Paper Proceedings: https://asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/ES/ES2021/volume/84881

ASME 2021 Energy Sustainability (ES2021)

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