An optimization study of solidification procedure in a wavy- wall storage unit considering the impacts of NEPCM and curved fin

This study aims to develop a numerical scheme to model and optimize the solidification process within a Latent Heat Thermal Energy Storage System (LHTESS), while specific nanoparticles are employed, and the system is equipped with curved fins. Response Surface Method (RSM) has been used for fin geometry optimization to determine the optimum fin geometry configuration. In this regard, Full Solidification Time (FST) is considered as the objective function. After that, the impacts of nanoparticle dispersion on the thermal efficiency are studied using the Standard Galerkin Finite Element Method (SGFEM). The developed numerical scheme is benefited from a dynamic mesh adaptive method, which significantly improved the numerical accuracy and reduced the computational time. Results indicate that using 4% SWCNT-enhanced PCM accelerates the procedure by 40.9%. Moreover, optimization of the fin configuration causes the solidification to be completed in 1269 s, which leads to a reduction of 61.54% in FST of pure PCM. Employing optimized curved fin in the system is reported as a better enhancing approach as compared to nanoparticle addition. Results also demonstrate a more expedited procedure by reducing the temperature of the cold wall especially by considering at least 18 K temperature difference between the cold wall and PCM.