Title: Y-shaped fins positioning effect on latent heat energy storage unit

Authors: Abdeldjalil Belazreg; Aissa Abderrahmane; Sahnoun Mohammed; Zied Driss; Mohamed Salah Abid

Addresses: Laboratoire de Physique Quantique de La Matière et Modélisation Mathématique (LPQ3M), University of Mascara, Algeria ' Laboratoire de Physique Quantique de La Matière et Modélisation Mathématique (LPQ3M), University of Mascara, Algeria ' Laboratoire de Physique Quantique de La Matière et Modélisation Mathématique (LPQ3M), University of Mascara, Algeria ' Laboratory of Electro-Mechanic Systems (LASEM), National School of Engineers of Sfax (ENIS), University of Sfax (US), B.P. 1173, Road Soukra km 3.5, 3038 Sfax, Tunisia ' Laboratory of Electro-Mechanic Systems (LASEM), National School of Engineers of Sfax (ENIS), University of Sfax (US), B.P. 1173, Road Soukra km 3.5, 3038 Sfax, Tunisia

Abstract: Phase transition materials (PCMs) store energy efficiently in latent heat thermal energy storage systems (LHTES). LHTES's key advantage is storing thermal energy and reducing temperature changes. Due to their poor heat conductivity, thermal performance improved. In the present investigation, Y-shaped fins with different position angles and nanoparticle concentrations were considered as investigating parameters to enhance the melting performance inside a vertical enclosure. The TES unit features wings and paraffin wax PCM with copper nano-additives. With Cu concentrations (0%, 4%, and 8% by volume) and various angles of fins (60°, 120°, and 180°), the results indicate that the bottom fin promotes the greatest heat transfer. This reduces melting time by 29.4% compared to top-fin. Cu nanoparticles at 8% and 4% lower melting time by 19.23% and 14.1% and reducing the angles of the tributaries results in higher system performance.

Keywords: Y-shaped fins; phase transition material; PCM; liquid fraction; melting process; thermal energy storage fin location; rectangular enclosure; numerical simulation; heat transmission.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEX.2024.137558

International Journal of Exergy, 2024 Vol.43 No.3, pp.211 - 228

Received: 03 Aug 2023
Accepted: 31 Dec 2023
Published online: 25 Mar 2024 *

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