Influence of fin configuration on the thermal performance of nanoparticle-enhanced latent heat storage system

Storing the thermal energy using the materials' latent heat capacity is a prominent and well-established technique; these materials are termed phase-change materials (PCMs). For low-temperature applications mostly organic PCMs are available. These PCMs possess very less thermal conductivity, which results in a low rate of heat transfer. To overcome this problem usage of fins and the addition of nanoparticles (NPs) to PCM are two potential methods. In the present study, three-dimensional numerical analysis of melting and solidification is performed on the radial, spiral, and longitudinal finned PCM-based shell and tube heat exchangers with the addition of NPs to PCM. Numerical analysis is carried out with various volume fractions of NPs in the PCM. Based on the study it is observed that the PCM-based heat exchanger with radial fins has the lowest melting time, average temperature, and energy storage ratio. For longitudinal fins melting time is maximum and it also has the maximum average temperature and energy storage ratio. It is observed that the addition of NPs showed a significant effect on the phase change process. For all the selected geometries the average exergy efficiency is not more than 4.4% during solidification.