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Experimental and Numerical Analysis of a PCM-Supported ...

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e generalized. Steel <strong>and</strong> polyethylene are common packaging<br />

materials,<br />

(g) Using the composite salt/ceramic thermal energy storage media<br />

concept which <strong>of</strong>fers the potential <strong>of</strong> using <strong>PCM</strong> via direct contact heat<br />

exchange. A direct contact heat exchanger with an immiscible heat<br />

transfer fluid moving in the <strong>PCM</strong> has eliminated the permanent heat<br />

exchange surface <strong>and</strong> has been confirmed to prevent phase<br />

separation <strong>of</strong> the <strong>PCM</strong> [113, 114].<br />

(h) Using a porous metal matrix such as aluminum matrix [115] as a way<br />

<strong>of</strong> improving the performance <strong>of</strong> the storage system, enhancing heat<br />

conduction without reducing significantly the stored energy<br />

The type <strong>of</strong> heat exchanger surface strongly influences the temperature gradients <strong>of</strong><br />

the <strong>PCM</strong> in the charging <strong>and</strong> discharging <strong>of</strong> the storage. Proper designing <strong>of</strong> latent<br />

heat energy storage systems require quantitative information about the heat transfer<br />

<strong>and</strong> phase change processes inside the <strong>PCM</strong> units. Among different geometrical<br />

configurations <strong>of</strong> the <strong>PCM</strong> capsules, it is found that spherical shape has received the<br />

utmost attention <strong>of</strong> research work in literature. Some authors attributed their interest<br />

in spherical capsules to the fact that the sphere has the largest volume to surface<br />

area ratio [126], although self-insulation during solidification might hinder full<br />

exploitation <strong>of</strong> the storage, which is rather in favor <strong>of</strong> large surface area per unit<br />

volume. Hence sphere size should not be too large as mentioned earlier. Further<br />

considerations for optimum sphere size depend on h<strong>and</strong>ling, energy density, <strong>and</strong><br />

pressure drop [126]. Singh et al. [121] have clarified experimentally that if packing <strong>of</strong><br />

spherical <strong>and</strong> other shapes like cubes <strong>and</strong> tubes are compared physically, it appears<br />

that during fluid flow in the bed, fluid film may remain in contact with the maximum<br />

portion <strong>of</strong> the surface area <strong>of</strong> spherical elements as compared to other shapes. In<br />

the case <strong>of</strong> non-spherical shapes, as the working fluid strikes the surface, it may get<br />

detached from the packing surface due to presence <strong>of</strong> sharp corners <strong>and</strong> edges.<br />

Therefore lesser contact area may be<br />

available for heat transfer for nonspherical<br />

shapes.<br />

Besides, non-spherical shapes have<br />

also surface contact between material<br />

elements which reduces the area<br />

available for heat transfer. Therefore<br />

lower values <strong>of</strong> heat transfer may be<br />

expected for other non-spherical<br />

configurations as compared to the<br />

spherical material elements. Singh et<br />

al. [121] have conducted an extensive<br />

experimentation to investigate the<br />

effect <strong>of</strong> the system <strong>and</strong> operating<br />

Figure 2.3: Energy released versus<br />

time for different geometries [124]<br />

26

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