Enhanced solar energy utilization of thermal energy storage tanks with phase change material and baffle incorporating holes

Abstract

In response to the pressing need for more efficient thermal energy storage solutions, this study investigates the strategic implementation of baffles in phase change material (PCM) tanks to enhance thermal performance. PCM offers a promising solution for efficient thermal energy storage (TES); however, ensuring uniform temperature distribution inside the tanks remains challenging. Horizontal baffles with holes of varying diameters were introduced in Tanks 02, 03, and 04, while an inclined baffle with holes was used in Tank 05. The Tank 06 benefitted from an inclined baffle with holes of different diameters. A comprehensive analysis of all Tanks was evaluated by assessing PCM and water heat flux, PCM and water static enthalpy, Richardson number, velocity vectors, temperature, and liquid fraction contours. The results demonstrated that significant improvements were achieved with the addition of baffles. Tank 01, without a baffle, exhibited a melting time of 2860 s. However, the introduction of baffles resulted in reduced melting times for Tanks 02 to 06: 2360 s (17.48 %), 2350 s (17.83 %), 2400 s (16.08 %), 2320 s (18.88 %), and 2240 s (21.67 %), respectively; which led to enhance TES efficiency, and a quicker energy storage process. The study also includes a comprehensive economic analysis, evaluating the total cost (C total) and performance-economic ratio (P c). Tank 06 shows superior economic performance, with a P c value of 0.26 despite a slightly higher cost than Tank 01 by $2 USD. These findings highlight the baffle design's effectiveness in achieving better heat transfer and uniform temperature distribution within PCM tanks, making them more efficient for TES applications.

Publication DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsep.2024.102674
Divisions: College of Engineering & Physical Sciences > School of Engineering and Technology
Funding Information: This research work was funded by Institutional Fund Projects under grant no. (IFPIP:1354-135-1443). The authors gratefully acknowledge technical and financial support provided by the Ministry of Education and King Abdulaziz University , DSR, Jeddah, Saudi
Additional Information: Crown Copyright © 2024 Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
Uncontrolled Keywords: Baffles holes,Heat Transfer,Melting time,Phase Change Material (PCM),Thermal Energy Storage (TES),Fluid Flow and Transfer Processes
Publication ISSN: 2451-9049
Last Modified: 28 Mar 2025 08:11
Date Deposited: 06 Jan 2025 18:48
Full Text Link:
Related URLs: https://www.sci ... 451904924002920 (Publisher URL)
http://www.scop ... tnerID=8YFLogxK (Scopus URL)
PURE Output Type: Article
Published Date: 2024-07
Published Online Date: 2024-06-05
Accepted Date: 2024-06-04
Authors: Abdellatif, Houssam Eddine
Belaadi, Ahmed
Arshad, Adeel (ORCID Profile 0000-0002-2727-2431)
Bourchak, Mostefa
Ghernaout, Djamel

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