Modeling of Intramatrix Heat Transfer in Thermal Energy Storage for Asynchronous Cooling

Author(s):  
Andrea Helmns ◽  
Van P. Carey

In this paper, we investigate sensible and latent heat transfer through heat exchanger matrix structures containing phase change material (PCM) in the interstitial spacing. The heat transfer is driven by a temperature difference between fluid flow passages and the phase change material matrix which experiences sensible heat transfer until it reaches the phase change material fusion point; then it undergoes melting or solidification in order to store, or reject, energy. In prior work, a dimensionless framework was established to model heat transfer in a thermal energy storage (TES) device much like effectiveness-NTU analysis methods for compact heat exchangers. A key difference, however, is that in TES units, the overall heat transfer coefficient, U, within the phase change material matrix varies spatially in the unit and with time during storage or extraction. Determination of a mean U for these processes is a key challenge to applying the effectiveness-NTU analysis to design of a TES unit. This paper assesses and identifies strategies for determining the matrix overall heat transfer coefficient in a TES unit from model predictions or experiments. The sensitivity of the TES energy efficiency to the matrix overall heat transfer coefficient is also explored, and the implications for some typical applications are discussed.

2019 ◽  
Vol 111 ◽  
pp. 01001
Author(s):  
Hansol Lim ◽  
Hye-Jin Cho ◽  
Seong-Yong Cheon ◽  
Soo-Jin Lee ◽  
Jae-Weon Jeong

A phase change material based radiant cooling panel with thermoelectric module (PCM-TERCP) is proposed in this study. It consists of two aluminium panels, and phase change materials (PCMs) sandwiched between the two panels. Thermoelectric modules (TEMs) are attached to one of the aluminium panels, and heat sinks are attached to the top side of TEMs. PCM-TERCP is a thermal energy storage concept equipment, in which TEMs freeze the PCM during the night whose melting temperature is 16○C. Therefore, the radiant cooling panel can maintain a surface temperature of 16◦C without the operation of TEM during the day. Furthermore, it is necessary to design the PCM-TERCP in a way that it can maintain the panel surface temperature during the targeted operating time. Therefore, the numerical model was developed using finite difference method to evaluate the thermal behaviour of PCM-TERCP. Experiments were also conducted to validate the performance of the developed model. Using the developed model, the possible operation time was investigated to determine the overall heat transfer coefficient required between radiant cooling panel and TEM. Consequently, the results showed that a overall heat transfer coefficient of 394 W/m2K is required to maintain the surface temperature between 16○C to 18○C for a 3 hours operation.


Buildings ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 217 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanna Krasoń ◽  
Przemysław Miąsik ◽  
Lech Lichołai ◽  
Bernardeta Dębska ◽  
Aleksander Starakiewicz

The article presents a comparative analysis carried out using three methods, determining the heat transfer coefficient U for a ceramic product modified with a phase change material (PCM). The purpose of the article is to determine the convergence of the resulting thermal characteristics, obtained using the experimental method, numerical simulation, and standard calculation method according to the requirements of PN-EN ISO 6946. The heat transfer coefficient is one of the basic parameters characterizing the thermal insulation of a building partition. Most often, for the thermal characteristics of the partition, we obtain from the manufacturer the value of the thermal conductivity coefficient λ for individual homogeneous materials or the heat transfer coefficient U for the finished (prefabricated) partition. In the case of a designed composite element modified with a phase change material or other material, it is not possible to obtain direct information on the above parameter. In such a case, one of the methods presented in this article should be used to determine the U factor. The U factor in all analyses was determined in stationary conditions. Research has shown a significant convergence of the resulting value of the heat transfer coefficient obtained by the assumed methods. Thanks to obtaining similar values, it is possible to continue tests of thermal characteristics of partitions by means of numerical simulation, limiting the number of experimental tests (due to the longer test time required) in assumed different partition configurations, in stationary and dynamic conditions.


RSC Advances ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (14) ◽  
pp. 8097-8103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenbin Wang ◽  
Huimin Cao ◽  
Jingyi Liu ◽  
Shifang Jia ◽  
Lin Ma ◽  
...  

Phase change energy storage wood (PCESW) was prepared by using microencapsulated phase change materials (MicroPCM) as thermal energy storage (TES) materials and wood as the matrix.


2019 ◽  
Vol 116 ◽  
pp. 00038 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria K. Koukou ◽  
Michail Gr. Vrachopoulos ◽  
George Dogkas ◽  
Christos Pagkalos ◽  
Kostas Lymperis ◽  
...  

A prototype Latent Heat Thermal Energy Storage (LHTES) unit has been designed, constructed, and experimentally analysed for its thermal storage performance under different operational conditions considering heating application and exploiting solar and geothermal energy. The system consists of a rectangular tank filled with Phase Change Material (PCM) and a finned tube staggered Heat Exchanger (HE) while water is used as Heat Transfer Fluid (HTF). Different HTF inlet temperatures and flow rates were tested to find out their effects on LHTES performance. Thermal quantities such as HTF outlet temperature, heat transfer rate, stored energy, were evaluated as a function of the conditions studied. Two commercial organic PCMs were tested A44 and A46. Results indicate that A44 is more efficient during the charging period, taking into account the two energy sources, solar and heat pump. During the discharging process, it exhibits higher storage capacity than A46. Concluding, the developed methodology can be applied to study different PCMs and building applications.


Author(s):  
Laura Small ◽  
Fatemeh Hassanipour

This study presents numerical simulations of forced convection with parachute-shaped encapsulated phase-change material particles in water, flowing through a square cross-section duct with top and bottom iso-flux surfaces. The system is inspired by the gas exchange process in the alveolar capillaries between the red blood cells (RBC) and the lung tissue. The numerical model was developed for the motion of elongated encapsulated phase change particles along a channel in a particulate flow where particle diameters are comparable with the channel height. Results of the heat transfer enhancement for the parachute-shaped particles are compared with the circular particles. Results reveal that the key role in heat transfer enhancement is the snugness movement of the particles and the parachute-shaped geometry yields small changes in heat transfer coefficient when compared to the circular ones. The effects of various parameters including particle diameter and volume-fraction, as well as fluid speed, on the heat transfer coefficient is investigated and reported in this paper.


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