Influence of Void Ratio on Phase Change in Thermal Storage Canister of Heat Pipe Receiver

In this paper, with both void cavity and phase change considered, influence of void ratio on phase change in thermal storage canister of heat pipe receiver under microgravity is numerically simulated. Accordingly, physical and mathematical models are built. A solidification–melting model upon the enthalpy–porosity method is specially provided to deal with phase changes. The change of liquid fraction with respect to void ratio and the liquid fraction distribution of different void ratios in a thermal storage canister of a heat pipe receiver are shown. Numerical results are compared with experimental ones. Research results indicate that the void cavity prevents the process of phase change significantly. Phase-change material (PCM) melts slowly during sunlight periods and freezes slowly during eclipse periods as void ratio increases. The utility ratio of PCM during both sunlight periods and eclipse periods decreases obviously as the void ratio increases. The void cavity prevents the heat transfer between the PCM zone and canister wall. The void cavity blocks the processes of both melting and solidification during cycle orbital periods.     

Three—Dimensional Heat Transfer Analysis for A Thermal Energy Storage Canister

IlltroductionSolar dynamic power modules (SDPM) with phasechange material (PCM) is a vital solution to ensureuninterrupted power supply for low-earth orbitapplication. The advantage of SDPM is its longerlifehme and higher efficiency. Longer lifetime results insubstanhal savings in hardware replacement, launch, andon-orbit installation costs. Because of SDPM's higherefficiency, its solar collection area is only about 25percent of that for a PV system. This would allowspacecraft operatin…     

微重力下高温固液相变蓄热容器内空穴分布

高温固液相变蓄热容器是空间太阳能动力装置吸热—储热器的关键部件。作为相变材料(PCM)的氟盐在凝固时体积收缩很大，从而在PCM容器内形成空穴。空穴的存在增大了传热热阻，还可能使PCM容器产生“热斑”和“热松脱”现象。该文建立了微重力下基于焓法形式的二维数学模型和一个改进的空穴模型，提出了计算相变过程中空穴体积变化及空穴调整的算法。预测了PCM容器在一个轨道周期内的空穴分布。计算结果有助于解决PCM容器的“热斑”和“热松脱”问题。     

空穴分布对固液相变蓄热过程的影响

建立了微重力下相变蓄热容器的仿真计算模型,根据蓄热容器内凝固过程的仿真结果建立了更加符合实际的空穴分布模型,对相变蓄热过程进行了仿真计算。对比分析了该文空穴模型与忽略空穴、简单空穴模型对应的仿真结果,证明空穴分布形式对于蓄热容器内的相变蓄热过程的显著影响。通过建立更加真实的空穴分布模型提高了相变蓄热过程仿真计算的准确性,对蓄热容器的设计改进具有积极的指导意义。     

Lattice Boltzmann simulation of tree-shaped fins enhanced melting heat transfer

Abstract

A thermal lattice Boltzmann model is developed to simulate the melting process with natural convection in a cavity filled with tree-shaped solid fins, in which the velocity field and temperature field distribution functions are considered. The present model incorporates the total enthalpy and a free parameter in the equilibrium distribution function to handle conjugate heat transfer. The results indicate that natural convection of liquid phase change material (PCM) plays a significant role in the melting heat transfer of PCM. Increasing the number of branching levels leads to a more rapid melting process, and selecting appropriate bifurcation angle has more efficient heat transfer performance.     

相变蓄热装置内部温度场的理论与实验研究

对螺旋盘管相变蓄热装置性能和相变材料 (PCM)的传热特性开展理论和试验研究,建立相变蓄热装置物理和数学模型,对蓄热温度场进行了数值模拟和实验测试。结果表明 ：自然对流换热对PCM的熔化过程影响很大,当考虑自然对流时,相变蓄热速率加快,相变分层现象明显;实验实测温度与模拟温度相近,说明所建立的模型适用于相变装置内部温度场的模拟。     

相变储能堆积床传热特性的研究

基于多孔介质传热理论,建立了储能堆积床的传热模型.在此基础上分析了换热流体流量、温度、单元尺寸、相变材料导热系数和孔隙率等参数对堆积床传热特性的影响.研究表明,提高相变材料的导热系数,增大换热流体温差或减小单元尺寸对堆积床传热速率有明显提高,而提高换热流体流量,增大对流换热系数对传热速率的影响不明显.因而强化相变材料侧的传热过程是提高堆积床传热速率的有效途径.     

Effect of internal void placement on the heat transfer performance – Encapsulated phase change material for energy storage

The effect of an internal air void on the heat transfer phenomenon within encapsulated phase change material (EPCM) is examined. Heat transfer simulations are conducted on a two dimensional cylindrical capsule using sodium nitrate as the high temperature phase change material (PCM). The effects of thermal expansion of the PCM and the buoyancy driven convection within the fluid media are considered in the present thermal analysis. The melting time of three different initial locations of an internal 20% air void within the EPCM capsule are compared. Latent heat is stored within an EPCM capsule, in addition to sensible heat storage. In general, the solid/liquid interface propagates radially inward during the melting process. The shape of the solid liquid interface as well as the rate at which it moves is affected by the location of the internal air void. The case of an initial void located at the center of the EPCM capsule has the highest heat transfer rate and thus fastest melting time. An EPCM capsule with a void located at the top has the longest melting time. Since the inclusion of a void space is necessary to accommodate the thermal expansion of a PCM upon melting, understanding its effect on the heat transfer within an EPCM capsule is necessary.     

Enhancement of PCM melting in enclosures with horizontally-finned internal surfaces

A numerical model for simulating the melting of a phase change material (PCM) housed within an internally-finned metal enclosure is developed. A finite volume approach, utilizing the temperature-transforming model for phase change, is used to predict the conjugate heat transfer in the cavity walls and fins, as well as within the molten PCM. The influence of the number of fins, the fin length and thickness, and the hot wall temperature on the melting process is reported. With horizontal fins, rapid melting occurs during the early stages of the phase change, followed by a second, slow melting regime. Analytical correlations are developed that can be used to quickly estimate melting rates during both melting regimes, and it is shown that the predictions of the correlations are in good agreement with those of the detailed model.     

Energy analysis of space solar dynamic heat receivers

Energy analysis of space solar dynamic heat receivers employing solid–liquid phase change storage is developed. The heat receiver is a critical component of a solar dynamic system. Phase change thermal energy storage is used in the heat receiver. The energy analysis presented here can be used to understand the energy transfer in the heat receiver and thermal energy storage in phase change materials (PCM). The heat receiver cavity radiation mathematical model and the working fluid tube heat model are established. Energy loss, energy absorbed by gas, the latent and sensible thermal energy storage in PCM, maximum tube temperature, gas outlet temperature and liquid PCM fraction were calculated. The results are analyzed and could be used in heat receiver design.     

Thermal performance analysis of a flat slab phase change thermal storage unit with liquid-based heat transfer fluid for cooling applications

This paper presents the results of a thermal performance analysis of a phase change thermal storage unit. The unit consists of several parallel flat slabs of phase change material (PCM) with a liquid heat transfer fluid (HTF) flowing along the passages between the slabs. A validated numerical model developed previously to solve the phase change problem in flat slabs was used. An insight is gained into the melting process by examining the temperatures of the HTF nodes, wall nodes and PCM nodes and the heat transfer rates at four phases during melting. The duration of the melting process is defined based on the level of melting completion. The effects of several parameters on the HTF outlet temperature, heat transfer rate and melting time are evaluated through a parametric study to evaluate the effects of the HTF mass flow rate, HTF inlet temperature, gap between slabs, slab dimensions, PCM initial temperature and thermal conductivity of the container on the thermal performance. The results are used to design a phase change thermal storage unit for a refrigerated truck.     

Thermal properties of composite PCM wallboard in low-temperature hot Water radiant system

低温热水墙体辐射供暖技术因其节能、舒适及对供暖温度（热源品位）要求低等优势而越来越得到广泛应用。在研究相变墙体辐射供暖系统的基础上,针对相变墙体层蓄热效率低的问题,提出采用一种新的复合相变墙体板。并建立相应复合相变墙体的传热模型,利用数值模拟软件对复合相变墙体的蓄放热过程进行分析,对比分析了有复合相变层和没有相变层时室内供暖系统的区别,同时研究了相变温度、相变层厚度等参数对复合相变墙体表面平均温度、表面热流密度的影响,得到了它们对复合相变墙体的传热过程的影响规律。研究结果可为提高供暖系统的舒适度提供理论依据,并为发展低品位能源利用提供技术支持。     

PCM容器的结构参数对蓄热单元热性能的影响

适合空间设备的主要电力来源就是太阳能热动力发电系统。为了深入考察蓄热容器（PCM容器）的结构参数对空间太阳能热动力发电系统的关键部件之一，即吸热蓄热器热性能的影响，建立了PCM容器的二维热分析模型，并在两种工作参数条件下对不同径向高度的PCM容器进行了数值计算，结果表明PCM容器的外径对吸热蓄热器热性能具有重要影响。研究结果可为提高PCM容器的功率质量比提供参考依据。     

A numerical model for heat sinks with phase change materials and thermal conductivity enhancers

The effectiveness of thermal conductivity enhancers (TCEs) in improving the overall thermal conductance of phase change materials (PCMs) used in cooling of electronics is investigated numerically. With respect to the distribution of TCE and PCM materials, the heat sink designs are classified into two types. The first type of heat sink has the PCM distributed uniformly in a porous TCE matrix, and the second kind has PCM with fins made of TCE material. A transient finite volume method is used to model the heat transfer; phase change and fluid flow in both cases. A generalized enthalpy based formulation and numerical model are used for simulating phase change processes in the two cases. The performance of heat sinks with various volume fractions of TCE for different configurations is studied with respect to the variation of heat source (or chip) temperature with time; melt fraction and dimensionless temperature difference within the PCM. Results illustrate significant effect of the thermal conductivity enhancer on the performance of heat sinks.     

Latent heat thermal energy storage using cylindrical capsule: Numerical and experimental investigations

This paper is aimed at analyzing the melting behavior of paraffin wax as a phase change material (PCM) encapsulated in a cylindrical capsule, used in a latent heat thermal energy storage system with a solar water heating collector. The heat for melting of PCM in the capsule is provided by hot water surrounding it. Since it is observed experimentally that the phase change occurs in a range of temperature, the present analysis considers this range instead of constant phase change temperature and the deviation between the results of these two is presented. The numerical analysis has been carried out by using enthalpy method and the results are verified with the experimental data. The experiments have been done by visualization technique without disturbing the actual process of melting. Three distinct stages of melting process have been identified as revealed by visualization studies. Results indicate that the melting process is chiefly governed by the magnitude of the Stefan number, Ste, phase change temperature range and the capsule radius. The analysis shows that the agreement between analytical and experimental results is significantly improved when the results are obtained considering phase change temperature range and the natural convection in the liquid phase instead of considering the process to be conduction dominated only.     

Numerical investigation of the thermal mechanism of the solid-liquid phase changing process

由于相变换热储能技术可以协调能量在时间和空间尺度的分配,成为了目前研究的热点问题。本工作用焓值法分别对充填低温无机盐相变材料的二维和三维管壳式相变储能换热器模型的储/放热特性进行了模拟研究,采用Boussinesq近似研究了液相区密度变化引起的自然对流的影响。研究表明换热器的入口温度对相变换热效率影响显著;在储热过程中自然对流发挥了重要作用,换热效率与液相区的运动状态直接相关,而放热过程中的热交换主要依靠热传导完成;三维模拟的结果表明换热管出口温度与管壁的平均努赛尔数高度相关,且换热管水平放置的换热效率略低于竖直放置。     

基于火积理论的多级套管式相变蓄热系统优化

本文基于最小火积耗散热阻原理,在考虑相变材料导热热阻以及非稳态传热过程的基础上,对多级套管式相变蓄热系统的融化温度进行了数值优化,获得了最优融化温度分布。在此基础上,研究了相变材料导热系数和传热管长度对最优融化温度、火积耗散热阻和平均蓄热速率的影响。研究结果表明,与现有理论优化方法相比,本文提出的数值优化方法具有更好的适用性;优化后多级套管式相变蓄热系统可有效提高相变蓄热系统的平均蓄热速率,降低火积耗散热阻;随着相变材料导热系数增大和传热管长度增加,多级套管式相变蓄热系统最优融化温度的温差愈加明显,其强化传热性能呈上升趋势。     

Numerical study on solar-driven methanol steam reforming reactor with multiple phase change materials

The multi-stage phase change material (PCM) fillings were proposed in the methanol steam reforming tube reactor driven by the parabolic-trough concentrated solar energy. Two-dimensional mathematical model of such surround filling reactor with numerical simulation was developed to evaluate its performance on eliminating the solar energy fluctuation. The effects of PCM with different thermophysical properties on chemical performance of the reactor were conducted when the sun is blocked. The optimal arrangement of multiple-stage PCMs was investigated and its performance under solar radiation fluctuations was investigated to improve the available latent heat of PCM and chemical performance of the reactor. The results showed that the PCM filling in the reactor significantly increased the time of methanol reforming reaction and improved the chemical performance when the heating by concentrated solar energy was ceased. PCM with lower phase change temperature and more latent heat could maintain the chemical reaction for a longer time. However, better chemical performance when PCM released latent heat could be achieved by PCM with higher phase change temperature. Compared to single PCM filling, Two-stage PCMs reached a maximum relative improvement in methanol conversion of 10.86%. Three-stage PCMs reached the maximum relative enhancement in methanol conversion of 11.36% compared to Two-stage PCMs. Under the cyclic and solar fluctuations, the multiple-stage PCMs reactor produced nearly twice as much hydrogen as that of the reactor without PCM. During a 6-h real solar radiation fluctuation, the multiple-stage PCMs reactor also have better methanol conversion. However, more than Three-stage PCMs arrangement improved the chemical performance of reactor only slightly.     

Experimental study of heat transfer intensification by using a novel combined shelf in food refrigerated display cabinets (Experimental study of a novel cabinets)

Open-type display cabinets are widely used in supermarkets for chilling and displaying food. These cabinets use convective heat transfer to cool the food, and they often show uneven food temperature distribution and obvious food temperature rise during defrost process. A novel design for display cabinet’s shelf is proposed in this paper. In the new design heat pipes of new structure and appropriate phase change materials (PCM) are equipped in the shelf. Comparison tests of two prototypes (one with heat pipe only and the other with both heat pipe and PCM) and original cabinet have been conducted. The tests results show that improved heat transfer and lower food temperature are achieved by the two new shelves. The new shelf with heat pipes only leads to lower food core temperatures of approximately 3.0 to 5.5 °C compared to the original design. The new shelf with both heat pipes and phase change materials reduces 1.5 °C of food temperature rise during defrost period and improves the uniform of food temperature distribution while the energy consumption is basically the same as that of the original cabinet.     

Analytical optimization of interior PCM for energy storage in a lightweight passive solar room

Lightweight envelopes are widely used in modern buildings but they lack sufficient thermal capacity for passive solar utilization. An attractive solution to increase the building thermal capacity is to incorporate phase change material (PCM) into the building envelope. In this paper, a simplified theoretical model is established to optimize an interior PCM for energy storage in a lightweight passive solar room. Analytical equations are presented to calculate the optimal phase change temperature and the total amount of latent heat capacity and to estimate the benefit of the interior PCM for energy storage. Further, as an example, the analytical optimization is applied to the interior PCM panels in a direct-gain room with realistic outdoor climatic conditions of Beijing. The analytical results agree well with the numerical results. The analytical results show that: (1) the optimal phase change temperature depends on the average indoor air temperature and the radiation absorbed by the PCM panels; (2) the interior PCM has little effect on average indoor air temperature; and (3) the amplitude of the indoor air temperature fluctuation depends on the product of surface heat transfer coefficient h_in and area A of the PCM panels in a lightweight passive solar room.