Thermal performance analysis of different T-shaped fin configurations on thermal energy storage through simplified enthalpy based lattice Boltzmann method
Renkun Dai, Xing Lu, Xulei Tong, Jun Deng
Abstract
This present study aims to clarify the enhancing effects of different T-shaped fins inside the horizontal shell and tube energy storage unit. The impact of various length-width ratios, rotation angles and eccentric distances of T-shaped fins are investigated. The results can be concluded as follows. The melting efficiency can be increased by 35.48% as the length-width radio increases from 0.5 to 2, for that the augment of length-width ratio can enhance the conduction process, but the enhancing amplitude gradually decreases. The increase of the rotation angle could result in decrease of the thermal performance. Compared to Ro = 0°, the melting efficiency can be decreased by 14.89% for Ro = 45°. With the augment of eccentric distances, the energy storage process is enhanced first and then weakened, the optimal eccentric distance is Ec = 2R2/3. T-shaped fins with the geometric parameters of AR = 2, Ro = 0° and Ec = 2R2/3 is the optimal configuration. Through the optimal configuration, the melting efficiency can be increased by 97.72% compared to finless tube, and it can be increased by 28.12% compared to rectangular fins. This study can further improve our understanding on the enhancing effects of T-shaped fins and provide guidance for its optimal configurations.