Experimental and Numerical Analysis of a PCM-Supported ...
Experimental and Numerical Analysis of a PCM-Supported ...
Experimental and Numerical Analysis of a PCM-Supported ...
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large amount <strong>of</strong> energy to propel the air in the column. Packing <strong>of</strong> large size would<br />
be desired to reduce the pressure drop.<br />
Figure (7.3) shows the pressure drop <strong>of</strong> the gas mixture under different hot water<br />
mass flow rates. However, due to relatively big size <strong>of</strong> <strong>PCM</strong> spherical capsules<br />
considered in the study (i.e. the commercially available <strong>PCM</strong> spheres size) <strong>and</strong> low<br />
airflow velocity range commonly used in HDH cycles, the maximum pressure drop is<br />
approximately limited to 2 kPa for a particle diameter larger than or equal to 40mm,<br />
which represents only 2% <strong>of</strong> the ambient air pressure. The pressure drop increases<br />
considerably when the packing diameter decreases below 40mm. Thus the electric<br />
energy required to induce the air flow also increases, which represents a major<br />
problem in non-electrified areas <strong>of</strong> developing countries, where the electric energy<br />
may be supplied by PV panels. In addition, operating the system under high<br />
pressure drops requires more expensive <strong>and</strong> robust structure than that operating at<br />
nearly ambient conditions.<br />
Figure 7.3: Effect <strong>of</strong> packing size on the pressure drop <strong>of</strong> the gas<br />
The pressure drop is strongly dependent on air to water mass flow ratio. However,<br />
for a 1000 kg/h water mass flow rate, or water mass flux <strong>of</strong> 2.2 kg/m 2 .s <strong>and</strong> 75mm<br />
packing diameter, the pressure drop under natural convection is estimated from<br />
experimental data as 0.35 kPa, while it is around 0.5 kPa for the forced convection at<br />
air to water mass flow ratio <strong>of</strong> 0.3. For the 40mm diameter packing it is estimated to<br />
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