Improvement of longitudinal fins configuration in latent heat storage systems. (February 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kazemi, M.; Hosseini, M.J.; Ranjbar, A.A.; Bahrampoury, R.
• Is Part Of: Renewable energy. Volume 116:Part A(2018)
• Page Start: 447
• Page End: 457
• Publication Date: 2018-02
• Subjects: Phase change material -- Melting -- Fins angle -- Triple-fin heat exchanger; Renewable energy sources -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Periodicals; Énergies renouvelables -- Périodiques; Ressources énergétiques -- Périodiques; 333.794
• DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2017.10.006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-1481

Abstract

Abstract: In this study, the consequences of variation of the longitudinal fins angle on the heat transfer improvement during phase change are investigated. Therefore, the melting process of RT 35 as a phase change material is studied for triple-fin and double-fin cases for different angles and the results are compared with of bare tube case. Results indicated that due to the natural convection domination, the upper fin does not leave a great effect on the total melting time. Considering the triple-fin heat exchangers, as the fins angle increases from 60° to 120°, the total melting time reduces. However, when double-fin cases are under consideration, reducing the angle from 150° to 45° results in melting time reduction. More reduction in the angle increases the total melting time. Results also showed that the best cases among triple-fin cases and among the double-fin cases result in 22.5 and 62% reduction in melting time with respect to the simple heat exchanger. Highlights: The angle of longitudinal fins of a shell and tube heat exchanger is studied. Triple-fin and double-fin cases are simulated and compared for different angles. The upper fin of triple-fin cases doesn't affect the total melting time considerably. An optimum angle for the double-fin case is found which minimizes total melting time.