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Study on the performance improvement of thermal storage tank by encapsulating PCM in the shape of red blood cells

Author

Listed:
  • Li, Wei
  • Gao, Zihan
  • Liu, Shida
  • Wang, Jing
  • Zhang, Xu
  • Zhao, Jun

Abstract

Energy storage has gained increasing attention for its potential to balance energy supply and demand, reducing renewable energy instability, and improving energy efficiency. Phase change materials (PCM) are used to enhance tank thermal performance. However, traditional PCM applications face low heat transfer efficiency. Red blood cell (RBC) shaped encapsulated PCM may overcome this. This paper employs a combined experimental and numerical simulation method to study RBC-shaped encapsulated PCM tanks and spherical encapsulated PCM tanks in terms of heat storage and release times, effective discharge, temperature stratification, Richardson number, and energy efficiency. Results show the average complete melting time of the RBC-shaped encapsulated PCM tank is 1160 s, which is 44.73 % shorter than that of the spherical one at 2099 s. In solar water systems, the RBC-shaped encapsulated PCM absorbs and stores heat faster and utilize solar energy more efficiently, with 7.5 % more heat release time and 2.3 L more water supply, offering benefits for heat and water needs. It also has better temperature stratification and higher energy utilization. The RBC-shaped encapsulated PCM tank's performance is superior. This achievement supports the optimization of thermal energy systems' performance and energy efficiency.

Suggested Citation

  • Li, Wei & Gao, Zihan & Liu, Shida & Wang, Jing & Zhang, Xu & Zhao, Jun, 2025. "Study on the performance improvement of thermal storage tank by encapsulating PCM in the shape of red blood cells," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 388(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:388:y:2025:i:c:s0306261925004362
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2025.125706
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