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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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 />
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