Experimental validation of a CFD model for tubes in a phase change thermal energy storage system

A computational fluid dynamic (CFD) model for tubes in a phase change thermal energy storage system has been developed and validated with experimental results. The heat transfer fluid (HTF) flows in tubes which are configured in a unique arrangement during the charging and discharging processes. Water was used as the phase change material (PCM) which was contained in a cylindrical tank with four tubes coiled inside it. Experiments were conducted for both freezing and melting processes. A three-dimensional CFD model using Ansys code was developed and validated with experimental results. This model endeavoured to describe both the freezing and melting processes of the PCM. The inlet and outlet HTF temperatures as well as nine temperature locations in the PCM were compared with the CFD results. The average effectiveness as well as the duration of the phase change process of each experimental point was also compared with results from the CFD. From this study, it was concluded that the CFD model developed can accurately predict the behaviour of the thermal storage system during charging and discharging. The paper gives details of the CFD model and compares results from the model and experiments.