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Numerical Investigation of Heat Transfer Performance and Structural Optimization of Fan-Shaped Finned Tube Heat Exchanger

Author

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  • Qianjun Mao

    (School of Urban Construction, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430081, China)

  • Xinlei Hu

    (School of Urban Construction, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430081, China)

  • Yuanyuan Zhu

    (School of Urban Construction, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430081, China)

Abstract

Latent heat storage technology is widely used in solar power generation. Aiming to enhance the energy utilization rate to a greater extent, an innovative fan-shaped structure has been proposed to construct the metal fins of the shell-and-tube thermal storage device. The enthalpy method is used to simulate the heat storage process and focuses on the influence of inlet conditions on heat transfer. The influence of the fin structure on the melting properties of phase change material has been studied. The results show that increasing inlet temperature and inlet flow rate is a convenient and effective way to improve energy efficiency. As the inlet temperature is increased from 343 K to 358 K, the total heat storage and energy efficiency are improved by 13.4% and 10.2%, respectively, and the melting time is reduced by 36.2%. As the flow rate is increased from 3 L/min to 9 L/min, the complete melting time is reduced by 33.4%. Energy efficiency peaks at a flow rate of 5 L/min. Reasonable optimization of the fin structure can enhance the natural convection circulation during the melting process and further improve the energy efficiency. The research results can guide the design and structural optimization of the finned tube heat storage device.

Suggested Citation

  • Qianjun Mao & Xinlei Hu & Yuanyuan Zhu, 2022. "Numerical Investigation of Heat Transfer Performance and Structural Optimization of Fan-Shaped Finned Tube Heat Exchanger," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-16, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:15:p:5682-:d:880742
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Li Peng & Hongjun Wu & Qianjun Mao, 2022. "Visualizing Experimental Study of the Effect of Inclination Angle on the Melting Performance for an Energy Storage Tank," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-11, October.
    2. Federico Zullo & Claudio Giorgi, 2022. "On the Optimal Shape and Efficiency Improvement of Fin Heat Sinks," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-18, December.
    3. Fei Ma & Tianji Zhu & Yalin Zhang & Xinli Lu & Wei Zhang & Feng Ma, 2023. "A Review on Heat Transfer Enhancement of Phase Change Materials Using Fin Tubes," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-25, January.
    4. Yang Xu & Hang Yin & Chen He & Yong Wei & Ming Cui & Zhang-Jing Zheng, 2022. "Structure Optimization of Longitudinal Rectangular Fins to Improve the Melting Performance of Phase Change Materials through Genetic Algorithm," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(24), pages 1-21, December.

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