Optimal design and performance investigation of latent heat thermal energy storage system integrated with nonuniformed topology fins

Zhang, Zhaoli; Chen, Xinyu; Zhang, Nan; Yuan, Yanping; Dzhonova-Atanasova, Daniela; Attia, Shady

doi:10.1016/j.est.2025.116564

Article (Scientific journals)

Optimal design and performance investigation of latent heat thermal energy storage system integrated with nonuniformed topology fins

Zhang, Zhaoli; Chen, Xinyu; Zhang, Nan et al.

2025 • In Journal of Energy Storage, 121, p. 116564

Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi

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https://hdl.handle.net/2268/330568

DOI
10.1016/j.est.2025.116564

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Keywords :

Latent heat thermal energy storage; Phase transition; Topology optimization; Nonuniform structure; Heat transfer enhancement

Abstract :

[en] The intrinsic low thermal conductivity of PCM restricts performance of phase change systems. Incorporation of metal fins represents an efficacious strategy to remediate the inferior thermal performance. In order to establish more efficient heat transfer, a nonuniform topology-based fin structure fitting for a rounded rectangle shell-tube phase change unit is designed in this paper. This paper investigated the effect of nonuniform tree-like fins on the melting characteristics of phase change units. The topology domain is achieved based on a density-based optimization methodology, with a heat source varying along the vertical direction innovatively. Numerical results reveal that the tree-like fin structure is distributed within the design domain. The varying heat source induces more metal fins placed in the bottom part of the phase change unit. Topology fins are capable of reducing the unmelted “dead zone” appearing in the bottom corners of the no-fin or even-fin phase change unit. The balance between thermal transient conduction and convection reduces the total melting time of PCMs in the topology phase change unit approximately 52.78 % and 23.62 % when compared to the no-fin and even-fin cases. The phase change unit with nonuniformly topologized fins (n = 2) is optimal with fastest melting rate and lowest average temperature of PCM. Fin volume, tube-shell ratio and heat flux are found to have positive effect on phase transition of the phase change unit. The melting rate of phase change unit is significantly accelerated by an increase in fin volume, tube-shell ratio and heat flux. In conclusion, this paper illustrates the heat transfer enhancement of a phase change unit integrated with the nonuniform topology fins, with noticeable benefit to the optimal design of phase change system.

Disciplines :

Energy

Author, co-author :

Zhang, Zhaoli

Chen, Xinyu

Zhang, Nan

Yuan, Yanping

Dzhonova-Atanasova, Daniela

Attia, Shady ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département ArGEnCo > Techniques de construction des bâtiments

Language :

English

Title :

Optimal design and performance investigation of latent heat thermal energy storage system integrated with nonuniformed topology fins

Publication date :

15 June 2025

Journal title :

Journal of Energy Storage

ISSN :

2352-1538

eISSN :

2352-152X

Publisher :

Elsevier, Oxford, United Kingdom

Volume :

121

Pages :

116564

Peer reviewed :

Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi

Development Goals :

11. Sustainable cities and communities
13. Climate action

Additional URL :

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352152X25012770?via%3Dihub

Available on ORBi :

since 11 April 2025

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