Numerical Study of Heat Transfer Enhancement within Confined Shell and Tube Latent Heat Thermal Storage Microsystem Using Hexagonal PCMs

• Main Authors: Abderrahmane, A. (Author), Ahmed, S.E (Author), Alhazmi, M. (Author), Guedri, K. (Author), Maneengam, A. (Author), Saeed, A.M (Author), Weera, W. (Author), Younis, O. (Author)
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI 2022
• Subjects: Economic interests; Enhancement of heat transfer; Enthalpy-porosity; Entropy; FEM; Finite element method; Fins (heat exchange); Heat storage; Heat transfer coefficients; Heat Transfer enhancement; Heat transfer rate; Hexagonal phasis; latent heat; Latent heat; Latent heat thermal storage; Melting; PCM; Phase change materials; Shell-and-tube; Thermal storage system; Tube; tubes; wings
• Online Access: View Fulltext in Publisher

 Thermophoresis represents one of the most common methods of directing micromachines. Enhancement of heat transfer rates are of economic interest for micromachine operation. This study aims to examine the heat transfer enhancement within the shell and tube latent heat thermal storage system (LHTSS) using PCMs (Phase Change Materials). The enthalpy–porosity approach is applied to formulate the melting situation and various shapes of inner heated fins are considered. The solution methodology is based on the Galerkin finite element analyses and wide ranges of the nanoparticle volume fraction are assumed, i.e., (0% ≤ φ ≤ 6%). The system entropy and the optimization of irreversibility are analyzed using the second law of the thermodynamics. The key outcomes revealed that the flow features, hexagonal entropy, and melting rate might be adjusted by varying the number of heated fins. Additionally, in case 4 where eight heated fins are considered, the highest results for the average liquid percentage are obtained. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.