Volume 2: Innovative Solutions for Energy Transitions: Part I

Accelerated Charging of PCM in Horizontal Latent Heat Storage Unit Using Different Multitube Arrangement Digant S. Mehta, Manish K. Rathod, Jyotirmay Banerjee

Abstract

Practical use of Latent Heat Storage Unit (LHSU) is limited due to poor thermal conductivity of Phase Change Material (PCM). Present research is focused on acceleration of the charging process of LHSU using different arrangement of HTF tubes. Numerical analysis is reported for estimation of thermal performance of horizontal shell and tube type latent heat storage unit using multiple HTF tubes. In the present study stearic acid (melting point 55.7°C -56.6°C) is used as PCM. Results infer significant augmentation of charging rate for multiple HTF tubes. However, highest charging rate is obtained for those cases where more HTF tubes are placed below the diametric plane of horizontal LHSU.

Keywords Shell and tube, Latent Heat Storage Unit, Phase Change Material, Multitube.