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Cold Storage and Release Characteristics of Phase Change Cold Storage Plate with Non-Uniform Fins

Author

Listed:
  • Kun Wu

    (Department of Automobile and Ship Engineering, Yantai Vocational College, Yantai 264670, China)

  • Haibo Zhao

    (School of Ocean, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, China)

  • Ye Wang

    (School of Ocean, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, China)

Abstract

Ice plates, widely used in food cold chain refrigeration transportation, involve challenges such as long cold storage time and low efficiency in use. This study establishes a mathematical model for ice plate cold storage and release. It analyzes the influence of fin setting position, distribution, and size on the cold storage and release characteristics of non-uniform fins having diverse sizes and spacing on the inner and outer surfaces of the ice plate. Results show that compared to finless ice plates, plates with inner or outer fins can reduce the cold storage and release time, accelerate the charging and discharging efficiency of the cold storage equipment, and potentially save time. Cold storage and release time savings of up to 17.5% and 19.6%, respectively, were attained using outer fins. Driven by natural convection inside the finned ice plate, cold storage proceeds from top to bottom, while cold release proceeds from bottom to top. For inner fins, the distribution has a higher impact on the cold storage and release speed than the size. For outer fins, both the distribution and size equally affect the cold storage and release speed. The smaller the reference spacing between the outer fins, the faster the cooling storage, but the slower the cold release. The larger the reference area, the faster the cooling storage, but the slower the cold release. Thus, when designing ice plate products, the distribution and the size of fins should be selected based on prior consideration of storage or release speed. This study provides a theoretical basis and design guidance for the design of ice plate products, especially for refrigerated transportation applications.

Suggested Citation

  • Kun Wu & Haibo Zhao & Ye Wang, 2024. "Cold Storage and Release Characteristics of Phase Change Cold Storage Plate with Non-Uniform Fins," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-29, July.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:17:y:2024:i:15:p:3610-:d:1440867
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Li, Chuanchang & Peng, Meicheng & Xie, Baoshan & Li, Yaxi & Li, Mu, 2024. "Novel phase change cold energy storage materials for refrigerated transportation of fruits," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 220(C).
    2. Yang, Xiaohu & Guo, Junfei & Yang, Bo & Cheng, Haonan & Wei, Pan & He, Ya-Ling, 2020. "Design of non-uniformly distributed annular fins for a shell-and-tube thermal energy storage unit," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 279(C).
    3. Liu, Ming & Saman, Wasim & Bruno, Frank, 2012. "Development of a novel refrigeration system for refrigerated trucks incorporating phase change material," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 92(C), pages 336-342.
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