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Numerical Modeling of Charging and Discharging of Shell-and-Tube PCM Thermal Energy Storage Unit

Author

Listed:
  • Maciej Fabrykiewicz

    (Institute of Technology, State University of Applied Sciences in Elbląg, Wojska Polskiego 1, 82-300 Elbląg, Poland)

  • Krzysztof Tesch

    (Institute of Energy, Gdańsk University of Technology, Narutowicza 11/12, 80-233 Gdańsk, Poland)

  • Janusz T. Cieśliński

    (Institute of Energy, Gdańsk University of Technology, Narutowicza 11/12, 80-233 Gdańsk, Poland)

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a numerical study on transient temperature distributions and phase fractions in a thermal energy storage unit containing phase change material (PCM). The latent heat storage unit (LHSU) is a compact shell-and-tube exchanger featuring seven tubes arranged in a staggered layout. Three organic phase change materials are investigated: paraffin LTP 56, fatty acid RT54HC, and fatty acid P1801. OpenFOAM software is utilized to solve the governing equations using the Boussinesq approximation. The discretization of the equations is performed with second-order accuracy in both space and time. The three-dimensional (3D) computational domain corresponds to the inner diameter of the LHSU. Calculations are conducted assuming constant thermal properties of the fluids. The experimental and numerical results indicate that for paraffin LTP56, the charging time is approximately 8% longer than the discharging time. In contrast, the discharging times for fatty acids RT54HC and P1801 exceed their charging times, with time delays of about 14% and 49% for RT54HC and 25% and 30% for P1801, according to experimental and numerical calculations, respectively.

Suggested Citation

  • Maciej Fabrykiewicz & Krzysztof Tesch & Janusz T. Cieśliński, 2025. "Numerical Modeling of Charging and Discharging of Shell-and-Tube PCM Thermal Energy Storage Unit," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(14), pages 1-16, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:14:p:3804-:d:1703914
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Maciej Fabrykiewicz & Janusz T. Cieśliński, 2022. "Effect of Tube Bundle Arrangement on the Performance of PCM Heat Storage Units," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(24), pages 1-12, December.
    2. Gasia, Jaume & Diriken, Jan & Bourke, Malcolm & Van Bael, Johan & Cabeza, Luisa F., 2017. "Comparative study of the thermal performance of four different shell-and-tube heat exchangers used as latent heat thermal energy storage systems," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 114(PB), pages 934-944.
    3. Agyenim, Francis & Hewitt, Neil & Eames, Philip & Smyth, Mervyn, 2010. "A review of materials, heat transfer and phase change problem formulation for latent heat thermal energy storage systems (LHTESS)," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 14(2), pages 615-628, February.
    4. Esapour, M. & Hosseini, M.J. & Ranjbar, A.A. & Pahamli, Y. & Bahrampoury, R., 2016. "Phase change in multi-tube heat exchangers," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 85(C), pages 1017-1025.
    5. Ioan Sarbu & Calin Sebarchievici, 2018. "A Comprehensive Review of Thermal Energy Storage," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(1), pages 1-32, January.
    6. Shaikh, Mahad & Uzair, Muhammad & Allauddin, Usman, 2021. "Effect of geometric configurations on charging time of latent-heat storage for solar applications," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 179(C), pages 262-271.
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