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Numerical Assessment of an Innovative Design of an Evacuated Tube Solar Collector Incorporated with PCM Embedded Metal Foam/Plate Fins

Author

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  • Mohamed Houcine Dhaou

    (Department of Physics, College of Science, Qassim University, Buraidah 51411, Saudi Arabia
    Mechanical Engineering Department, College of Engineering, Jazan University, Jazan 45142, Saudi Arabia)

  • Sofiene Mellouli

    (Thermal and Energy Systems Studies Laboratory (LESTE), College of Engineering, University of Monastir, Monastir 5000, Tunisia)

  • Faisal Alresheedi

    (Department of Physics, College of Science, Qassim University, Buraidah 51411, Saudi Arabia)

  • Yassine El-Ghoul

    (Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Qassim University, Buraidah 51411, Saudi Arabia)

Abstract

The objective of this manuscript is to study the possibility of improving the thermal performance of an Evacuated Tube Solar Collector (ETSC) with the integration of a Phase Change Material (PCM) incorporated into metallic foam and fitted with plate fins. A 2D mathematical model has been proposed. Two types of metal foams (copper and nickel) were inserted. In addition, the effect of metal foam pore size of on heat transfer was studied. The results were acquired through numerical simulations of four different cases; namely, Case 1: pure PCM, Case 2: with metal foam, Case 3: with fins and Case 4: with metal foam and fins. The evaluation procedure involved observing the total change in Heat Transfer Fluid (HTF) temperature and melted PCM fraction during a single day. The results proved that the thermal performance of ETSC is improved considerably by inserting metal foam and fins simultaneously. The time required for the whole process is improved by almost 9% compared to the case of pure PCM, and 2% compared to the case of inserting only plate fins. Results revealed that the pore size of the metal foams slightly affects the dynamic process of heat storage/release in the ETSC/PCM system.

Suggested Citation

  • Mohamed Houcine Dhaou & Sofiene Mellouli & Faisal Alresheedi & Yassine El-Ghoul, 2021. "Numerical Assessment of an Innovative Design of an Evacuated Tube Solar Collector Incorporated with PCM Embedded Metal Foam/Plate Fins," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-11, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:19:p:10632-:d:642627
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Javadi, F.S. & Saidur, R. & Kamalisarvestani, M., 2013. "Investigating performance improvement of solar collectors by using nanofluids," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 28(C), pages 232-245.
    2. Lin Zheng & Wei Zhang & Lingzhi Xie & Wei Wang & Hao Tian & Mo Chen, 2019. "Experimental study on the thermal performance of solar air conditioning system with MEPCM cooling storage," International Journal of Low-Carbon Technologies, Oxford University Press, vol. 14(1), pages 83-88.
    3. Xue Chen & Xiaolei Li & Xinlin Xia & Chuang Sun & Rongqiang Liu, 2019. "Thermal Performance of a PCM-Based Thermal Energy Storage with Metal Foam Enhancement," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(17), pages 1-18, August.
    4. Xiao, X. & Zhang, P. & Li, M., 2013. "Preparation and thermal characterization of paraffin/metal foam composite phase change material," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 1357-1366.
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    1. Sana Said & Sofiene Mellouli & Talal Alqahtani & Salem Algarni & Ridha Ajjel & Kaouther Ghachem & Lioua Kolsi, 2023. "An Experimental Comparison of the Performance of Various Evacuated Tube Solar Collector Designs," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-16, March.

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