Melting-solidification cycle of finned heat storage tank: Optimization of fin structure by response surface method
Zhao Du, Xinyu Huang, Yuanji Li, Xiaohu Yang, Hailong Li
Abstract
The enhanced heat transfer performance of longitudinal fins on the entire process of melting and solidification in a phase change heat storage unit is investigated through experiments and numerical simulation in this paper. The position and structure of the longitudinal fins are optimized using the response surface method while ensuring that the total volume of the heat storage medium remains unchanged. Studies have shown that the challenging zones of melting and solidification significantly impact the heat transfer properties of the entire melting-solidification cycle. Specifically, the challenging melting zone primarily exists in the lower part of the unit during the heat storage process, while the challenging solidification zone is mainly distributed around the unit during the heat release process. The position and structure of longitudinal fins are optimized without altering the PCM volume. Compared to the initial structure, the optimized structure (fin spacing is 22.5 mm, fin width is 6.05 mm) reduces the heat storage time and release time by 16.94 % and 45.90 %, respectively. Additionally, the whole melting-solidification time is significantly reduced by 39.19 %, and the mean heat absorption rate during the melting process is enhanced by 20.28 %. Moreover, the mean heat release rate during solidification is enhanced by 80.23 %.