IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v18y2025i14p3836-d1704869.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Numerical Simulation Study of Heat Transfer Fluid Boiling Effects on Phase Change Material in Latent Heat Thermal Energy Storage Units

Author

Listed:
  • Minghao Yu

    (Department of Energy and Power Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, China)

  • Xun Zheng

    (Department of Energy and Power Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, China)

  • Jing Liu

    (College of Ocean and Civil Engineering, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian 116023, China)

  • Dong Niu

    (Department of Energy and Power Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, China)

  • Huaqiang Liu

    (Department of Energy and Power Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, China)

  • Hongtao Gao

    (Department of Energy and Power Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, China)

Abstract

The innovation in thermal storage systems for solar thermal power generation is crucial for achieving efficient utilization of new energy sources. Molten salt has been extensively studied as a phase change material (PCM) for latent heat thermal energy storage systems. In this study, a two-dimensional model of a vertical shell-and-tube heat exchanger is developed, utilizing water-steam as the heat transfer fluid (HTF) and phase change material for heat transfer analysis. Through numerical simulations, we explore the interplay between PCM solidification and HTF boiling. The transient results show that tube length affects water boiling duration and PCM solidification thickness. Higher heat transfer fluid flow rates lower solidified PCM temperatures, while lower heat transfer fluid inlet temperatures delay boiling and shorten durations, forming thicker PCM solidification layers. Adding fins to the tube wall boosts heat transfer efficiency by increasing contact area with the phase change material. This extension of boiling time facilitates greater PCM solidification, although it may not always optimize the alignment of bundles within the thermal energy storage system.

Suggested Citation

  • Minghao Yu & Xun Zheng & Jing Liu & Dong Niu & Huaqiang Liu & Hongtao Gao, 2025. "Numerical Simulation Study of Heat Transfer Fluid Boiling Effects on Phase Change Material in Latent Heat Thermal Energy Storage Units," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(14), pages 1-19, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:14:p:3836-:d:1704869
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/14/3836/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/14/3836/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Lyden, A. & Brown, C.S. & Kolo, I. & Falcone, G. & Friedrich, D., 2022. "Seasonal thermal energy storage in smart energy systems: District-level applications and modelling approaches," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 167(C).
    2. Wang, Le-Li & Wang, Liang-Bi & Zhang, Kun & Wang, Ye & Wang, Wei-Wei, 2022. "Prediction of the main characteristics of the shell and tube bundle latent heat thermal energy storage unit using a shell and single-tube unit," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 323(C).
    3. Sardari, Pouyan Talebizadeh & Giddings, Donald & Grant, David & Gillott, Mark & Walker, Gavin S., 2020. "Discharge of a composite metal foam/phase change material to air heat exchanger for a domestic thermal storage unit," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 148(C), pages 987-1001.
    4. Fornarelli, F. & Camporeale, S.M. & Fortunato, B. & Torresi, M. & Oresta, P. & Magliocchetti, L. & Miliozzi, A. & Santo, G., 2016. "CFD analysis of melting process in a shell-and-tube latent heat storage for concentrated solar power plants," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 164(C), pages 711-722.
    5. 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.
    6. Brückner, Sarah & Liu, Selina & Miró, Laia & Radspieler, Michael & Cabeza, Luisa F. & Lävemann, Eberhard, 2015. "Industrial waste heat recovery technologies: An economic analysis of heat transformation technologies," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 151(C), pages 157-167.
    7. Mekrisuh, Kedumese u & Singh, Dushyant & Udayraj,, 2020. "Performance analysis of a vertically oriented concentric-tube PCM based thermal energy storage system: Parametric study and correlation development," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 149(C), pages 902-916.
    8. Yang, Xiaohu & Guo, Junfei & Yang, Bo & Cheng, Haonan & Wei, Pan & He, Ya-Ling, 2020. "Design of non-uniformly distributed annular fins for a shell-and-tube thermal energy storage unit," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 279(C).
    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. Guo, Junfei & Liu, Zhan & Du, Zhao & Yu, Jiabang & Yang, Xiaohu & Yan, Jinyue, 2021. "Effect of fin-metal foam structure on thermal energy storage: An experimental study," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 172(C), pages 57-70.
    2. 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).
    3. Pizzolato, Alberto & Sharma, Ashesh & Ge, Ruihuan & Maute, Kurt & Verda, Vittorio & Sciacovelli, Adriano, 2020. "Maximization of performance in multi-tube latent heat storage – Optimization of fins topology, effect of materials selection and flow arrangements," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 203(C).
    4. Lu, Shilei & Lin, Quanyi & Liu, Yi & Yue, Lu & Wang, Ran, 2022. "Study on thermal performance improvement technology of latent heat thermal energy storage for building heating," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 323(C).
    5. Tat, Suraj Arun & Muthukumar, P., 2024. "Experimental study on the thermal performance of a high-temperature finned latent heat storage system," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 235(C).
    6. 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.
    7. Huang, Xinyu & Yao, Shouguang & Yang, Xiaohu & Zhou, Rui, 2022. "Melting performance assessments on a triplex-tube thermal energy storage system: Optimization based on response surface method with natural convection," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 188(C), pages 890-910.
    8. Yi Zhang & Haoran Yu & Yingzhen Hou & Neng Zhu, 2025. "Multi-Objective Optimization Research Based on NSGA-II and Experimental Study of Triplex-Tube Phase Change Thermal Energy Storage System," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-27, April.
    9. Du, Kun & Calautit, John & Eames, Philip & Wu, Yupeng, 2021. "A state-of-the-art review of the application of phase change materials (PCM) in Mobilized-Thermal Energy Storage (M-TES) for recovering low-temperature industrial waste heat (IWH) for distributed heat," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 168(C), pages 1040-1057.
    10. Xinguo Sun & Jasim M. Mahdi & Hayder I. Mohammed & Hasan Sh. Majdi & Wang Zixiong & Pouyan Talebizadehsardari, 2021. "Solidification Enhancement in a Triple-Tube Latent Heat Energy Storage System Using Twisted Fins," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-23, November.
    11. Romo-De-La-Cruz, Cesar-Octavio & Chen, Yun & Liang, Liang & Paredes-Navia, Sergio A. & Wong-Ng, Winnie K. & Song, Xueyan, 2023. "Entering new era of thermoelectric oxide ceramics with high power factor through designing grain boundaries," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 175(C).
    12. Yang, Jing & Zhang, Zhiyong & Yang, Mingwan & Chen, Jiayu, 2019. "Optimal operation strategy of green supply chain based on waste heat recovery quality," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 183(C), pages 599-605.
    13. Yang, Jing & Zhang, Zhiyong & Hong, Ming & Yang, Mingwan & Chen, Jiayu, 2020. "An oligarchy game model for the mobile waste heat recovery energy supply chain," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 210(C).
    14. Jun Yang & Biao Li & Hui Sun & Jianxin Xu & Hua Wang, 2023. "Experimental Measurement and Theoretical Prediction of Bubble Growth and Convection Heat Transfer Coefficient in Direct Contact Heat Transfer," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-19, January.
    15. Yang, Xiaohu & Yu, Jiabang & Guo, Zengxu & Jin, Liwen & He, Ya-Ling, 2019. "Role of porous metal foam on the heat transfer enhancement for a thermal energy storage tube," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 239(C), pages 142-156.
    16. Anvari, Simin & Mahian, Omid & Taghavifar, Hadi & Wongwises, Somchai & Desideri, Umberto, 2020. "4E analysis of a modified multigeneration system designed for power, heating/cooling, and water desalination," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 270(C).
    17. Pili, Roberto & Romagnoli, Alessandro & Jiménez-Arreola, Manuel & Spliethoff, Hartmut & Wieland, Christoph, 2019. "Simulation of Organic Rankine Cycle – Quasi-steady state vs dynamic approach for optimal economic performance," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 167(C), pages 619-640.
    18. Miguel Castro Oliveira & Muriel Iten & Pedro L. Cruz & Helena Monteiro, 2020. "Review on Energy Efficiency Progresses, Technologies and Strategies in the Ceramic Sector Focusing on Waste Heat Recovery," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-24, November.
    19. Alva, Guruprasad & Lin, Yaxue & Fang, Guiyin, 2018. "An overview of thermal energy storage systems," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 144(C), pages 341-378.
    20. Qiu, Yu & Xu, Yucong & Li, Qing & Wang, Jikang & Wang, Qiliang & Liu, Bin, 2021. "Efficiency enhancement of a solar trough collector by combining solar and hot mirrors," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 299(C).

    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:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:14:p:3836-:d:1704869. 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: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    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.