Simulation study on thermal storage process of paraffin phase change materials

doi:10.12028/j.issn.2095-4239.2019.0166

Abstract

Abstract:

Solar energy is the first choice for developing clean energy because of its wide distribution, large reserves, and easy access. However, solar energy is affected by adverse weather conditions and seasons. Efficient methods for storing solar energy remain an urgent problem. Thus, understanding the factors that influence the thermal storage process of the phase change materials (PCMs) is important to improve the solar energy utilization rate. In this study, a two-dimensional (2-d) computational fluid dynamics model is developed on a shell-and-tube phase change energy storage heat exchanger. The melting process of the PCMs (paraffin wax) is numerically simulated using a solidification and melting model in FLUENT. The effects of the natural convection, paraffin thickness, and wall temperature on the heat transfer characteristics of the heat exchanger are studied during the charging process. Natural convection is demonstrated to significantly affect the growth of the PCM interface shape. The total melting time of paraffin increases with its thickness; however, it is not clear if a higher wall temperature of the heat-carrier fluid results in a faster melting rate. The influence of the wall temperature on the melting time significantly weakens when it exceeds the threshold.

Key words: tube shell phase change energy storage, paraffin wax, natural convection, heat source temperature, numerical simulation

CLC Number:

TK 11+4

ZOU Yong, QIU Rudong, WANG Xia. Simulation study on thermal storage process of paraffin phase change materials[J]. Energy Storage Science and Technology, 2020, 9(1): 101-108.

Figures/Tables 9

Table 1

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网格数	4140	5200	6160	7440
Point 1处温度	327.68723	327.74619	327.63763	327.70667
Point 2处温度	327.53781	327.64267	327.53831	327.41254

参数	数值
固相比热容/J·(kg·K)^-1	2464
液相比热容/J·(kg·K)^-1	2950
固相密度/kg·m^-3	900
液相密度/kg·m^-3	773
膨胀系数/1·K^-1	0.001
动力粘度/kg·m·s^-1	0.03
固相导热系数/W·(m·K)^-1	0.28
液相导热系数/W·(m·K)^-1	0.14
凝固温度/K	325
熔化温度/K	328
熔化潜热/J·kg^-1	205600

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