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Influence of nano-enhanced phase change material on the charging performance for multi-tube non isothermal horizontal latent heat thermal energy storage exchanger

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  • Zhou, Shaobin
  • Guan, Chuang
  • Wang, Shengjie
  • Sun, Jiaqi
  • He, Suoying
  • Gao, Ming

Abstract

In order to improve the performance of horizontal latent heat thermal energy storage exchanger, this paper proposes a new partition structure of Nano-Enhanced Phase Change Material Non Isothermal Multi-Tube Horizontal Latent Heat Thermal Energy Storage exchanger (NE-MN-LHTES). The influence of Nano-Enhanced Phase Change Material (NEPCM) composition and inner tube position on the charging performance is studied by simulation. The results indicate that placing NEPCM with high, medium and low nanoparticle concentrations in the upper, lower and middle zones of heat exchanger, respectively, which can maximize natural convection and heat conduction effects, the charging performance is superior to that of using NEPCM with one nanoparticle concentration in different zones. Under this NEPCM composition, the response surface method is used to optimize the inner tube position. The better charging performance is achieved when the distances between the top, middle and low inner tubes and outer shell are 19.86 mm, 8.95 mm and 6.24 mm. Compared with the absence of nanoparticle, the local melting time decreases by 20.9%, the charging rate increases by 16%, average temperature and liquid fraction non-uniformity coefficients are 5.57 K and 0.096. The results provide ideas for optimization of single heat exchanger for multi heat sources waste heat recovery.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhou, Shaobin & Guan, Chuang & Wang, Shengjie & Sun, Jiaqi & He, Suoying & Gao, Ming, 2026. "Influence of nano-enhanced phase change material on the charging performance for multi-tube non isothermal horizontal latent heat thermal energy storage exchanger," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 262(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:262:y:2026:i:c:s0960148126001801
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2026.125355
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    References listed on IDEAS

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