Numerical simulation of heat transfer performance of plate-fin radiator reinforced with double cascade phase change material of paraffin and low melting point alloy

doi:10.19799/j.cnki.2095-4239.2023.0843

Abstract

Abstract:

This article focuses on the relationship between phase change materials (PCMs), fin structures, and various PCM volume ratio working conditions on the heat transfer performance of the phase change radiator. We developed a plate-fin phase change radiator model to study the phase change heat transfer process of cascade phase change technology and measures to optimize the heat transfer performance. The results show that changing the combination of PCMs significantly influences the heat transfer process of PCMs. For a cascaded phase change radiator with dual PCMs, PCM1 and PCM2 are arranged with decreasing phase change temperatures for optimal thermal management performance. Compared with 4-fin units, 16 fins yield lower operating temperatures and 25.3% and 22.5% shorter solidification times for the two cascaded PCM combinations of phase change cooling units. Moreover, the thermal management performance is optimal under the setting of 16 fins with a fin thickness of 0.5 mm. Using paraffin and low melting point alloy materials, when the PCM volume ratio is 1∶2, the thermal management times at two critical temperatures are prolonged by 17.2% and 15%, respectively, and the temperature rise rate also decreases gradually with an increase in the volume occupied by the low melting point alloy. Considering the thermal management time and temperature rise rate together, the thermal management performance of the cascaded phase change radiator is optimal when the PCM volume ratio is 1∶2.

Key words: phase change material, plate fin radiator, cascade phase transition, numerical simulation, thermal management

CLC Number:

TK 02

Yunfeng ZHANG, Xuewen ZHANG, Wei ZHONG, Duwei JIANG, Zewei CHEN, Jie ZHANG. Numerical simulation of heat transfer performance of plate-fin radiator reinforced with double cascade phase change material of paraffin and low melting point alloy[J]. Energy Storage Science and Technology, 2024, 13(5): 1460-1470.

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物性参数	石蜡RT46	石蜡RT58	Bi-Pb-In-Sn-Cd	Bi-In-Pb-Sn	铝	硅
相变温度/℃	41～48	55～61	41～48	55～61	―	―
潜热/(kJ/kg)	170	170	32.3	30.17	―	―
密度/(kg/m³)	770	770	9 459	8 074	2 719	2 203
比热容/[J/(kg·K)]	2 200	2 100	241	260	871	700
热导率/[W/(m·K)]	0.2	0.2	14.7	16	202.4	1.37
黏度/(Pa·s)	0.001exp(-4.25+1790/T)		0.001	0.003 1	―	―
热膨胀系数/K^-1	0.000 1	0.000 11	―	―	―	―

Case No.	T_m1/℃	T_m2/℃	PCM
Case1	46	58	RT46/RT58
Case2	58	46	RT58/RT46

Case No.	T_m1/℃	T_m2/℃	PCM
Case3	58	46	Bi-In-Pb-Sn/RT46
Case4	58	46	RT58/ Bi-Pb-In-Sn-Cd

工况序号	翅片数量	翅片高度	翅片厚度	翅片体积分数	级联组合
1	4fin	35	2	9%	Case2
2	8fin	35	1	9%	Case2
3	16fin	35	0.5	9%	Case2
4	4fin	35	2	9%	Case4
5	8fin	35	1	9%	Case4
6	16fin	35	0.5	9%	Case4

工况序号	PCM体积比	翅片数量	翅片厚度/mm	翅片高度/mm
1	1∶1	16	0.5	35
2	1∶2	16	0.5	35
3	2∶1	16	0.5	35
4	2∶3	16	0.5	35
5	3∶2	16	0.5	35