IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/appene/v388y2025ics0306261925004362.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Study on the performance improvement of thermal storage tank by encapsulating PCM in the shape of red blood cells

Author

Listed:
  • Li, Wei
  • Gao, Zihan
  • Liu, Shida
  • Wang, Jing
  • Zhang, Xu
  • Zhao, Jun

Abstract

Energy storage has gained increasing attention for its potential to balance energy supply and demand, reducing renewable energy instability, and improving energy efficiency. Phase change materials (PCM) are used to enhance tank thermal performance. However, traditional PCM applications face low heat transfer efficiency. Red blood cell (RBC) shaped encapsulated PCM may overcome this. This paper employs a combined experimental and numerical simulation method to study RBC-shaped encapsulated PCM tanks and spherical encapsulated PCM tanks in terms of heat storage and release times, effective discharge, temperature stratification, Richardson number, and energy efficiency. Results show the average complete melting time of the RBC-shaped encapsulated PCM tank is 1160 s, which is 44.73 % shorter than that of the spherical one at 2099 s. In solar water systems, the RBC-shaped encapsulated PCM absorbs and stores heat faster and utilize solar energy more efficiently, with 7.5 % more heat release time and 2.3 L more water supply, offering benefits for heat and water needs. It also has better temperature stratification and higher energy utilization. The RBC-shaped encapsulated PCM tank's performance is superior. This achievement supports the optimization of thermal energy systems' performance and energy efficiency.

Suggested Citation

  • Li, Wei & Gao, Zihan & Liu, Shida & Wang, Jing & Zhang, Xu & Zhao, Jun, 2025. "Study on the performance improvement of thermal storage tank by encapsulating PCM in the shape of red blood cells," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 388(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:388:y:2025:i:c:s0306261925004362
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2025.125706
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306261925004362
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.apenergy.2025.125706?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Yu, Cheng & Liu, Feifan & Liu, Xiangdong & He, Lin & Zhang, Chengbin & Chen, Yongping, 2024. "High-power-density miniaturized packed-bed thermal energy storage unit via phase change material capsules," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 375(C).
    2. Wang, Gang & Zhang, Zhen & Lin, Jianqing, 2024. "Multi-energy complementary power systems based on solar energy: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 199(C).
    3. Wang, Lu & Guo, Leihong & Ren, Jianlin & Kong, Xiangfei, 2022. "Using of heat thermal storage of PCM and solar energy for distributed clean building heating: A multi-level scale-up research," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 321(C).
    4. Kumar, G. Senthil & Nagarajan, D. & Chidambaram, L.A. & Kumaresan, V. & Ding, Y. & Velraj, R., 2016. "Role of PCM addition on stratification behaviour in a thermal storage tank – An experimental study," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 115(P1), pages 1168-1178.
    5. Yıldız, Çağatay & Seçilmiş, Mustafa & Arıcı, Müslüm & Mert, Mehmet Selçuk & Nižetić, Sandro & Karabay, Hasan, 2023. "An experimental study on a solar-assisted heat pump incorporated with PCM based thermal energy storage unit," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 278(PB).
    6. Ding, Xingqi & Duan, Liqiang & Li, Da & Ji, Shuaiyu & Yang, Libo & Zheng, Nan & Zhou, Yufei, 2024. "Dynamic characteristics of a novel liquid air energy storage system coupled with solar heat and waste heat recovery," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 221(C).
    7. Wang, Wei & Shuai, Yong & He, Xibo & Hou, Yicheng & Qiu, Jun & Huang, Yudong, 2023. "Influence of tank-to-particle diameter ratio on thermal storage performance of random packed-bed with spherical macro-encapsulated phase change materials," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 282(C).
    8. Yan, Peiliang & Fan, Weijun & Yang, Yan & Ding, Hongbing & Arshad, Adeel & Wen, Chuang, 2022. "Performance enhancement of phase change materials in triplex-tube latent heat energy storage system using novel fin configurations," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 327(C).
    9. Dong, Yan & Wang, Fuqiang & Zhang, Yaqi & Shi, Xuhang & Zhang, Aoyu & Shuai, Yong, 2022. "Experimental and numerical study on flow characteristic and thermal performance of macro-capsules phase change material with biomimetic oval structure," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 238(PB).
    10. Cui, Hongzhi & Tang, Waiching & Qin, Qinghua & Xing, Feng & Liao, Wenyu & Wen, Haibo, 2017. "Development of structural-functional integrated energy storage concrete with innovative macro-encapsulated PCM by hollow steel ball," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 185(P1), pages 107-118.
    11. Simonsen, Galina & Ravotti, Rebecca & O'Neill, Poppy & Stamatiou, Anastasia, 2023. "Biobased phase change materials in energy storage and thermal management technologies," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 184(C).
    12. V, Krishna Raj & V, Baiju, 2023. "Enhancing thermal performance of latent heat storage unit for solar cooling: A hybrid approach with C-shaped fins and nano-additives," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 351(C).
    13. Yan, Zhongjun & Zhu, Yuexiang & Liu, Lifang & Yu, Zhun (Jerry) & Li, Shuisheng & Zhang, Guoqiang, 2023. "Performance enhancement of cylindrical latent heat storage units in hot water tanks via wavy design," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 218(C).
    14. Xu, Tianhao & Humire, Emma Nyholm & Trevisan, Silvia & Ignatowicz, Monika & Sawalha, Samer & Chiu, Justin NW., 2022. "Experimental and numerical investigation of a latent heat thermal energy storage unit with ellipsoidal macro-encapsulation," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 238(PB).
    15. Dutil, Yvan & Rousse, Daniel R. & Salah, Nizar Ben & Lassue, Stéphane & Zalewski, Laurent, 2011. "A review on phase-change materials: Mathematical modeling and simulations," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 15(1), pages 112-130, January.
    16. Li, Yantong & Huang, Gongsheng & Xu, Tao & Liu, Xiaoping & Wu, Huijun, 2018. "Optimal design of PCM thermal storage tank and its application for winter available open-air swimming pool," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 209(C), pages 224-235.
    17. Chen, Xudong & Li, Chunzhe & Yang, Zhenning & Dong, Yan & Wang, Fuqiang & Cheng, Ziming & Yang, Chun, 2024. "Golf-ball-inspired phase change material capsule: Experimental and numerical simulation analysis of flow characteristics and thermal performance," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 293(C).
    18. Bianco, Nicola & Caliano, Martina & Fragnito, Andrea & Iasiello, Marcello & Mauro, Gerardo Maria & Mongibello, Luigi, 2023. "Thermal analysis of micro-encapsulated phase change material (MEPCM)-based units integrated into a commercial water tank for cold thermal energy storage," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 266(C).
    19. Yan, Peiliang & Fan, Weijun & Han, Yu & Ding, Hongbing & Wen, Chuang & Elbarghthi, Anas F.A. & Yang, Yan, 2023. "Leaf-vein bionic fin configurations for enhanced thermal energy storage performance of phase change materials in smart heating and cooling systems," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 346(C).
    20. Li, Ming-Jia & Jin, Bo & Ma, Zhao & Yuan, Fan, 2018. "Experimental and numerical study on the performance of a new high-temperature packed-bed thermal energy storage system with macroencapsulation of molten salt phase change material," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 221(C), pages 1-15.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Chen, Xudong & Zhang, Jingyu & Zou, Huichuan & Zhang, Guoliang & Zhang, Aoyu & Dong, Yan & Liang, Huaxu & Wang, Fuqiang, 2024. "Enhancing performance in heat storage unit and packed-bed system: Novel capsule designs inspired by drop structure," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 313(C).
    2. Tian, Yang & Liu, Xianglei & Zheng, Hangbin & Xu, Qiao & Zhu, Zhonghui & Luo, Qinyang & Song, Chao & Gao, Ke & Yao, Haichen & Dang, Chunzhuo & Xuan, Yimin, 2022. "Artificial mitochondrion for fast latent heat storage: Experimental study and lattice Boltzmann simulation," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 245(C).
    3. He, Xibo & Wang, Wei & Shuai, Yong & Hou, Yicheng & Qiu, Jun, 2025. "Cross-scale thermal analysis and comprehensive evaluation of biomimetic skin-flesh composite phase change material for waste heat recovery," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 314(C).
    4. Wu, Xuehong & Hao, Kaile & Chang, Zhijuan & Lv, Cai & Cao, Shuang & Yu, Yinsheng & Tang, Songzhen & Zhang, Dongwei, 2025. "Study on temperature distribution optimization and enhanced heat transfer in shell and tube phase change accumulator," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 242(C).
    5. Yao, Haichen & Liu, Xianglei & Li, Jiawei & Luo, Qingyang & Tian, Yang & Xuan, Yimin, 2023. "Chloroplast-granum inspired phase change capsules accelerate energy storage of packed-bed thermal energy storage system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 284(C).
    6. Liu, Jiatao & Lu, Shilei, 2024. "Thermal performance of packed-bed latent heat storage tank integrated with flat-plate collectors under intermittent loads of building heating," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 299(C).
    7. Tavakoli, Ali & Hashemi, Javad & Najafian, Mahyar & Ebrahimi, Amin, 2023. "Physics-based modelling and data-driven optimisation of a latent heat thermal energy storage system with corrugated fins," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 217(C).
    8. Yu, De-Hai & He, Zhi-Zhu, 2019. "Shape-remodeled macrocapsule of phase change materials for thermal energy storage and thermal management," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 247(C), pages 503-516.
    9. Su, Wei & Ai, Zhengtao & Yang, Bin, 2024. "Performance of latent heat storage exchangers: Evaluation framework and fast prediction model," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 237(PD).
    10. Dong, Jihui & Li, Qing & Qiu, Yu, 2025. "Optimizations of cascaded packed-bed thermal energy storage units for next-generation concentrating solar power," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 320(C).
    11. Mao, Qianjun & Cao, Wenlong, 2023. "Effect of variable capsule size on energy storage performances in a high-temperature three-layered packed bed system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 273(C).
    12. Wang, Wei & Shuai, Yong & He, Xibo & Hou, Yicheng & Qiu, Jun & Huang, Yudong, 2023. "Influence of tank-to-particle diameter ratio on thermal storage performance of random packed-bed with spherical macro-encapsulated phase change materials," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 282(C).
    13. Janusz T. Cieśliński & Maciej Fabrykiewicz, 2023. "Thermal Energy Storage with PCMs in Shell-and-Tube Units: A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-35, January.
    14. Wang, H.N. & Xue, X.J. & Zhao, C.Y., 2024. "Performance analysis on combined energy supply system based on Carnot battery with packed-bed thermal energy storage," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 228(C).
    15. Turci, Daniel Rubano Barretto & Lisboa, Kleber Marques & Pacheco, César Cunha & Sphaier, Leandro Alcoforado & Pinheiro, Isabela Florindo, 2024. "A low-temperature Organic Rankine Cycle integrated with latent heat storage harnessing solar thermal energy for power generation," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 309(C).
    16. Zeneli, M. & Malgarinos, I. & Nikolopoulos, A. & Nikolopoulos, N. & Grammelis, P. & Karellas, S. & Kakaras, E., 2019. "Numerical simulation of a silicon-based latent heat thermal energy storage system operating at ultra-high temperatures," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 242(C), pages 837-853.
    17. Jin, Xin & Zhang, Huihui & Huang, Gongsheng & Lai, Alvin CK., 2021. "Experimental investigation on the dynamic thermal performance of the parallel solar-assisted air-source heat pump latent heat thermal energy storage system," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 180(C), pages 637-657.
    18. Yan, Peiliang & Wen, Chuang & Ding, Hongbing & Wang, Xuehui & Yang, Yan, 2025. "The potential of machine learning to predict melting response time of phase change materials in triplex-tube latent thermal energy storage systems," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 390(C).
    19. Yu, Cheng & Liu, Feifan & Liu, Xiangdong & He, Lin & Zhang, Chengbin & Chen, Yongping, 2024. "High-power-density miniaturized packed-bed thermal energy storage unit via phase change material capsules," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 375(C).
    20. Li, Yantong & Liang, Junhan & Chen, Weihao & Wu, Zebo & Yin, Huibin, 2025. "Optimal design of a solar-assisted heat pump system with PCM tank for swimming pool utilization," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 240(C).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:388:y:2025:i:c:s0306261925004362. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/405891/description#description .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.