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Modeling of Multi-Layer Phase Change Material in a Triplex Tube under Various Thermal Boundary Conditions

Author

Listed:
  • Ali M. Sefidan

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Canterbury, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand)

  • Mehdi E. Sangari

    (Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Tabriz, 29th Bahman Blvd., Tabriz 51666-16471, Iran)

  • Mathieu Sellier

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Canterbury, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand)

  • Md. Imran Hossen Khan

    (School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, QLD 4001, Australia)

  • Suvash C. Saha

    (School of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia)

Abstract

Nowadays, limited energy resources face ever-growing demands of the modern world. One engineering approach to mitigate this problem which has received considerable attention in recent years is using latent heat thermal storage (LHTS) systems, a significant opportunity which is provided by phase change materials (PCMs). In the present study, a numerical investigation was devoted to estimate the simultaneous freezing and melting processes of a double-layer PCM in terms of heat transfer and fluid flow phenomena. A double-pipe cylindrical channel with two compartments, A and B, was considered for locating two PCMs of RT28 and RT35 in various arrangements. The inner and outer walls were exposed to both hot and cold heat transfer fluids (HHTFs and CHTFs, respectively) beginning with solid or liquid initial state, which led to solid–liquid phase change process through PCMs. The numerical simulation was handled by a two-dimensional finite volume method (FVM) with a fixed Rayleigh number of 106 in which conduction and convection heat transfer mechanisms are taken into account. The effects of employing double-layer PCM and their arrangements, inner and outer walls’ boundary conditions, and initial statuses of PCMs are discussed, and the details of the compared results are shown in the form of temperature and liquid fraction variations over time.

Suggested Citation

  • Ali M. Sefidan & Mehdi E. Sangari & Mathieu Sellier & Md. Imran Hossen Khan & Suvash C. Saha, 2022. "Modeling of Multi-Layer Phase Change Material in a Triplex Tube under Various Thermal Boundary Conditions," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-14, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:9:p:3465-:d:811743
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    References listed on IDEAS

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