Numerical study on the melting performance of a diverging-converging shell and tube latent heat storage system

IF 5.4 3区工程技术 Q2 ENERGY & FUELS

Thermal Science and Engineering Progress Pub Date : 2025-09-18 DOI:10.1016/j.tsep.2025.104118

Aditya Kumar Jatav, K.S. Reddy

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Abstract

A shell and tube latent heat thermal energy storage (ST-LHTES) system is being considered for integration into a concentrated solar power plant. In this regard, the geometry of the shell surface significantly influences the thermal performance of such systems. While cylindrical, conical, and eccentric configurations have been widely studied, the effect of diverging–converging shells has not been systematically explored. The present study proposes a novel diverging–converging ST-LHTES system and investigates the charging performance through a three-dimensional enthalpy–porosity model. The H/w (height-to-sectional length) ratio in the proposed vertical configurations varies from 3 to 6 while maintaining a constant convergence angle (θ). The results indicate that an H/w ratio of 4 delivers the best thermal performance. Specifically, the PCM charging time for an H/w ratio of 4 is reduced by 5.56 %, 11.12 %, and 13.89 % compared to H/w ratios of 3, 5, and 6, respectively. Additionally, the best-performing design configuration (H/w = 4) is evaluated under different inclination angles (φ), eccentricities (ε), and Reynolds numbers (Re). The horizontal system (0°) decreases melting time by 3.12 %, 9.37 %, and 12.50 % compared to the 30°, 60°, and 90° configurations. The eccentricity analysis of the horizontal configuration indicates that increasing eccentricity enhances the melting rate by enlarging the upper region of the shell, thereby promoting natural convection. Furthermore, higher Reynolds numbers improve heat transfer, resulting in a faster melting rate.

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发散-收敛壳管潜热蓄热系统熔化性能的数值研究

正在考虑将壳管潜热热能储存系统集成到聚光太阳能发电厂中。在这方面，壳体表面的几何形状显著影响这类系统的热性能。虽然圆柱形、锥形和偏心结构已被广泛研究，但发散-收敛壳的影响尚未得到系统的探讨。本研究提出了一种新型的发散-收敛ST-LHTES体系，并通过三维焓孔模型研究了其充电性能。在垂直结构中，H/w（高度与截面长度）比从3到6不等，同时保持恒定的收敛角（θ）。结果表明，当H/w比为4时，热工性能最佳。具体而言，与H/w比为3、5和6时相比，H/w比为4时的PCM充电时间分别减少了5.56%、11.12%和13.89%。此外，在不同的倾角（φ）、偏心率（ε）和雷诺数（Re）下，评估了最佳设计构型（H/w = 4）。与30°、60°和90°体系相比，水平体系（0°）的熔化时间分别缩短了3.12%、9.37%和12.50%。水平配置的偏心分析表明，增大偏心通过增大壳体上部区域来提高熔化速率，从而促进自然对流。此外，较高的雷诺数改善了传热，导致更快的熔化速度。

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来源期刊

Thermal Science and Engineering Progress Chemical Engineering-Fluid Flow and Transfer Processes

CiteScore

7.20

自引率

10.40%

发文量

327

审稿时长

41 days

期刊介绍： Thermal Science and Engineering Progress (TSEP) publishes original, high-quality research articles that span activities ranging from fundamental scientific research and discussion of the more controversial thermodynamic theories, to developments in thermal engineering that are in many instances examples of the way scientists and engineers are addressing the challenges facing a growing population – smart cities and global warming – maximising thermodynamic efficiencies and minimising all heat losses. It is intended that these will be of current relevance and interest to industry, academia and other practitioners. It is evident that many specialised journals in thermal and, to some extent, in fluid disciplines tend to focus on topics that can be classified as fundamental in nature, or are ‘applied’ and near-market. Thermal Science and Engineering Progress will bridge the gap between these two areas, allowing authors to make an easy choice, should they or a journal editor feel that their papers are ‘out of scope’ when considering other journals. The range of topics covered by Thermal Science and Engineering Progress addresses the rapid rate of development being made in thermal transfer processes as they affect traditional fields, and important growth in the topical research areas of aerospace, thermal biological and medical systems, electronics and nano-technologies, renewable energy systems, food production (including agriculture), and the need to minimise man-made thermal impacts on climate change. Review articles on appropriate topics for TSEP are encouraged, although until TSEP is fully established, these will be limited in number. Before submitting such articles, please contact one of the Editors, or a member of the Editorial Advisory Board with an outline of your proposal and your expertise in the area of your review.