Research on Optimization and Heat Transfer Characteristics of Topological Fins in Phase Latent Thermal Storage Units

This paper designs the fin configuration of the two-dimensional phase latent thermal storage unit using the topology optimization method based on the variable density method to improve the thermal storage and release rate of the phase latent thermal storage unit. The conductive topological fins with the volume proportion of 0. 1, 0. 15, and 0. 2 arc devised. In addition, considering the liquid flow, the convcctivc topological fins with the volume proportion of 0. 1, 0. 15, and 0. 2 arc designed. Subsequently, a comparison is drawn between the thermal storage and release characteristics of the topological fins and the rectangular fins in the phase latent thermal storage unit, using a numerical simulation method. An analysis is conducted on the thermal storage and release processes of topological fins with different volume proportions. The results show that the thermal storage rates of the phase latent thermal storage unit using conductive and convcctivc topological fins with a volume proportion of 0. 15 surpass those of rectangular fins by 11.5% and 33.0%, respectively. When considering the same volume proportion, the convective topological fins outperform the conductive topological fins due to the natural convection effect of the phase change material during the thermal storage process. During the thermal release process, under the condition of the same volume proportion, the conductive topological fins exhibit better performance than the convection topological fins because of their uniform distribution and large contact area with the phase change material. The conductive topological fins with a volume proportion of 0. 15 demonstrate the best comprehensive performance. This study offers insights into fin design and significantly contributes to advancing the practical application of topology optimization in phase latent thermal storage units. © 2024 Xi'an Jiaotong University. All rights reserved.