IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/energy/v333y2025ics0360544225031664.html

Effect of staggered-arranged discontinuous anisotropic fin on thermal energy storage performance

Author

Listed:
  • Wang, Jiao
  • Song, Zilong
  • Huang, Xinyu
  • Tang, Shengke
  • Li, Weipeng
  • Ma, Mengyao
  • Zhang, Xiao
  • Song, Bo

Abstract

The inherently low thermal conductivity of phase change materials significantly limits their applications in thermal energy storage systems, necessitating advanced heat transfer enhancement techniques. This study proposes a novel staggered-arranged discontinuous anisotropic fin structure for horizontal latent heat thermal energy storage systems. Inspired by three-dimensional topological configurations, the designed structure was numerically evaluated to assess its effects on PCM heat transfer and flow characteristics during specified charging/discharging cycles. Compared with conventional designs, the proposed structure demonstrates significant performance improvements: a 7.57 % enhancement in effective heat storage capacity and 14.44 % in heat release capacity, along with 23.44 % and 17.23 % reductions in temperature distribution non-uniformity indices during charging and discharging processes, respectively. Furthermore, the average thermal resistance was reduced by 20.65 % and 11.08 % for charging and discharging phases. Response surface methodology was employed to optimize the geometric parameters, resulting in an additional 4.86 kJ increase in maximum single-cycle heat capacity and a 0.43 K reduction in average temperature distribution non-uniformity index. The staggered-arranged discontinuous anisotropic fin, designed based on three-dimensional topological characteristics, providing valuable guidance for the development of high-efficiency latent heat storage systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Wang, Jiao & Song, Zilong & Huang, Xinyu & Tang, Shengke & Li, Weipeng & Ma, Mengyao & Zhang, Xiao & Song, Bo, 2025. "Effect of staggered-arranged discontinuous anisotropic fin on thermal energy storage performance," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 333(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:333:y:2025:i:c:s0360544225031664
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2025.137524
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360544225031664
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.energy.2025.137524?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

    for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Song, Zilong & Wang, Jiao & Tang, Shengke & Li, Weipeng & Ma, Mengyao & Andronov, Daniil & Fan, Xiaojun & Cheng, Junlin, 2025. "Dual-objective topology optimization design for latent heat storage systems using composite phase change materials," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 319(C).
    2. Huang, Xinyu & Li, Fangfei & Xiao, Tian & Li, Yuanji & Yang, Xiaohu & He, Ya-Ling, 2023. "Structural optimization of melting process of a latent heat energy storage unit and application of flip mechanism," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 280(C).
    3. Kuta, Marta, 2023. "Mobilized thermal energy storage (M-TES) system design for cooperation with geothermal energy sources," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 332(C).
    4. Saliha Saher & Sam Johnston & Ratu Esther-Kelvin & Jennifer M. Pringle & Douglas R. MacFarlane & Karolina Matuszek, 2024. "Trimodal thermal energy storage material for renewable energy applications," Nature, Nature, vol. 636(8043), pages 622-626, December.
    5. Ren, Fan & Li, Qibin & Shi, Lei & Xin, Liyong, 2025. "Enhanced thermal performance of latent heat thermal energy storage systems with pulsating flow: A biomimetic approach inspired by alveolar vascular structures," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 251(C).
    6. Tian, Yang & Ji, Mingxi & Qin, Xinliang & Yang, Chun & Liu, Xianglei, 2024. "Self-growing bionic leaf-vein fins for high-power-density and high-efficiency latent heat thermal energy storage," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 309(C).
    7. Huang, Yongping & Yao, Feng & Liu, Xiangdong, 2021. "Numerical study on the thermal enhancement of horizontal latent heat storage units with hierarchical fins," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 180(C), pages 383-397.
    8. Huang, Xinyu & Li, Fangfei & Guo, Junfei & Li, Yuanji & Du, Rui & Yang, Xiaohu & He, Ya-Ling, 2024. "Design optimization on solidification performance of a rotating latent heat thermal energy storage system subject to fluctuating heat source," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 362(C).
    9. Zhang, Chenyu & Ma, Zhenjun & Qu, Zhiguo & Xu, Hongtao, 2024. "Multi-objective prediction and optimization of performance of three-layer latent heat storage unit based on intermittent charging and discharging strategies," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 225(C).
    10. Huang, Yongping & Deng, Zilong & Chen, Yongping & Zhang, Chengbin, 2023. "Performance investigation of a biomimetic latent heat thermal energy storage device for waste heat recovery in data centers," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 335(C).
    11. Huang, Xinyu & Li, Fangfei & Li, Yuanji & Meng, Xiangzhao & Yang, Xiaohu & Sundén, Bengt, 2023. "Optimization of melting performance of a heat storage tank under rotation conditions: Based on taguchi design and response surface method," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 271(C).
    12. Liu, Zhan & Liu, Zihui & Liu, Gang & Yang, Xiaohu & Yan, Jinyue, 2022. "Melting assessment on the effect of nonuniform Y-shaped fin upon solid–liquid phase change in a thermal storage tank," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 321(C).
    13. Liu, Zhan & Liu, Zihui & Guo, Junfei & Wang, Fan & Yang, Xiaohu & Yan, Jinyue, 2022. "Innovative ladder-shaped fin design on a latent heat storage device for waste heat recovery," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 321(C).
    14. Pizzolato, Alberto & Sharma, Ashesh & Maute, Kurt & Sciacovelli, Adriano & Verda, Vittorio, 2017. "Design of effective fins for fast PCM melting and solidification in shell-and-tube latent heat thermal energy storage through topology optimization," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 208(C), pages 210-227.
    15. Yingang Liu & Jingqi Zhang & Ranming Niu & Mohamad Bayat & Ying Zhou & Yu Yin & Qiyang Tan & Shiyang Liu & Jesper Henri Hattel & Miaoquan Li & Xiaoxu Huang & Julie Cairney & Yi-Sheng Chen & Mark Easto, 2024. "Manufacturing of high strength and high conductivity copper with laser powder bed fusion," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-9, December.
    16. Hong, Yuxiang & Cheng, Zihao & Li, Qing & Jia, Shuao & Xiao, Chengxiang & Du, Juan, 2024. "Thermal energy storage, heat transfer, and thermodynamic behaviors of nano phase change material in a concentric double tube unit with triple tree fins," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 235(C).
    17. Sheikholeslami, M. & Mousavi, S.M. & Ahadi, A. & Mohammed, Hussein A., 2025. "Modeling of thermoelectric module integrated with sinusoidal U-pipes solar system using hybrid nanomaterial and novel fin designs," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 241(C).
    18. Wang, Yahui & Wang, Wei & Liu, Chao & Fu, Hua & Li, Yunqing & Pu, Wanxing & Yu, Xiang & Gao, Bo, 2025. "Analysis of the output characteristics of a low-concentration photovoltaic/thermal system based on a new three-dimensional optical-electrical-thermal multiphysics coupling model," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 250(C).
    19. Pu, Liang & Zhang, Shengqi & Xu, Lingling & Ma, Zhenjun & Wang, Xinke, 2021. "Numerical study on the performance of shell-and-tube thermal energy storage using multiple PCMs and gradient copper foam," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 174(C), pages 573-589.
    20. Luo, Ji-Wang & Yaji, Kentaro & Chen, Li & Tao, Wen-Quan, 2025. "Data-driven multi-fidelity topology design of fin structures for latent heat thermal energy storage," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 377(PC).
    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. Song, Zilong & Wang, Jiao & Tang, Shengke & Li, Weipeng & Ma, Mengyao & Andronov, Daniil & Fan, Xiaojun & Cheng, Junlin, 2025. "Dual-objective topology optimization design for latent heat storage systems using composite phase change materials," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 319(C).
    2. Jiang, Ruicheng & Qian, Gao & Li, Zhi & Yu, Xiaoli & Lu, Yiji, 2024. "Progress and challenges of latent thermal energy storage through external field-dependent heat transfer enhancement methods," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 304(C).
    3. Liu, Hua-Yang & Hu, Yu-Peng & Yang, Guo-Yao & Wu, Chun-Mei & Li, You-Rong, 2025. "PCM melting characteristics in a sidewall-heated rectangular cavity with non-uniform longitudinal fins near the bottom," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 242(C).
    4. Huang, Yongping & Zhang, Chengbin & Chen, Yongping, 2025. "Rapid charging and discharging strategies for latent heat storage," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 222(C).
    5. Ren, Fan & Li, Qibin & Shi, Lei & Xin, Liyong, 2025. "Enhanced thermal performance of latent heat thermal energy storage systems with pulsating flow: A biomimetic approach inspired by alveolar vascular structures," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 251(C).
    6. ELSihy, ELSaeed Saad & Xie, Haozhe & Wang, Tengxiao & Wang, Zuyuan, 2024. "Multi-factor numerical research on the melting dynamics improvement of an innovative gradient finned tube latent heat storage unit," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 313(C).
    7. Wang, Jiahao & Liu, Xiaomin & Desideri, Umberto, 2024. "Performance improvement evaluation of latent heat energy storage units using improved bi-objective topology optimization method," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 364(C).
    8. Tao Ning & Xinyu Huang & Junwei Su & Xiaohu Yang, 2023. "Design and Research of Heat Storage Enhancement by Innovative Wave Fin in a Hot Water–Oil-Displacement System," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-17, November.
    9. Zeng, Kuo & Gao, Junjie & Lu, Yongwen & Zuo, Hongyang & Chi, Bowen & Fang, Zheyu & Li, Jun & Xu, Huaqian & Li, Beiyang & Yang, Haiping & Chen, Hanping, 2024. "Comprehensive enhancement of melting-solidifying process in latent heat storage based on eccentric fin-foam combination," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 313(C).
    10. Huang, Xinyu & Du, Zhao & Li, Yuanji & Li, Ze & Yang, Xiaohu & Li, Ming-Jia, 2024. "Optimal design on fin-metal foam hybrid structure for melting and solidification phase change storage: An experimental and numerical study," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 302(C).
    11. Huang, Xinyu & Li, Fangfei & Liu, Zhengguang & Gao, Xinyu & Yang, Xiaohu & Yan, Jinyue, 2023. "Design and optimization of a novel phase change photovoltaic thermal utilization structure for building envelope," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 218(C).
    12. Huang, Xinyu & Li, Ze & Xie, Yuan & Gao, Jiayi & Yang, Xiaohu & Li, Ming-Jia, 2024. "Phase change heat storage and enhanced heat transfer based on metal foam under unsteady rotation conditions," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 306(C).
    13. Sohani, Ali & Cornaro, Cristina & Shahverdian, Mohammad Hassan & Moser, David & Pierro, Marco & Olabi, Abdul Ghani & Karimi, Nader & Nižetić, Sandro & Li, Larry K.B. & Doranehgard, Mohammad Hossein, 2023. "Techno-economic evaluation of a hybrid photovoltaic system with hot/cold water storage for poly-generation in a residential building," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 331(C).
    14. Zhang, Shuai & Li, Ying & Yan, Yuying, 2024. "Hybrid sensible-latent heat thermal energy storage using natural stones to enhance heat transfer: Energy, exergy, and economic analysis," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 286(C).
    15. Bie, Yu & Tang, Yilian & Liu, Weiyi & Hnydiuk-Stefan, Anna & Gupta, M.K. & Królczyk, Jolanta B. & Li, Z., 2024. "Optimization of a finned multi-tube latent heat storage system using new structure evaluation indexes," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 312(C).
    16. Cui, Jie & Yang, Xueming & Zhang, Hao & Chen, Jianzhi & Xie, Jianfei, 2025. "Analysis for temperature stability and thermal transport performance of cascaded phase change packed bed thermal energy storage system under unstable factors," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 316(C).
    17. Zhang, Shuai & Yan, Yuying, 2023. "Evaluation and optimisation of hybrid sensible-latent heat thermal energy storage unit with natural stones to enhance heat transfer," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 215(C).
    18. ELSihy, ELSaeed Saad & Du, Xiaoze & Wang, Zuyuan, 2025. "Influences of fin shape, operational temperatures, and loading of spheroidal graphene nanoplatelets on the cyclic performance of the latent heat storage system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 326(C).
    19. Zhang, Shengqi & Liu, Guangdi & Zhen, Hualong & Hu, Wanchun & Hong, Yutong & Pu, Liang, 2025. "Experimental study on charging and discharging performance of latent energy storage with topologically optimized fins: Diffusion and convection design," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 328(C).
    20. Marta Kuta & Agata Mlonka-Mędrala & Ewelina Radomska & Andrzej Gołdasz, 2025. "Mobile Thermal Energy Storage—A Review and Analysis in the Context of Waste Heat Recovery," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-24, August.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    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:energy:v:333:y:2025:i:c:s0360544225031664. 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.journals.elsevier.com/energy .

    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.