Numerical Investigations on Latent Heat Storage Unit using Phase Change Material

Abstract

Many renewable energy sources are not available at any time in nature so the development of energy storage technologies is very important to conserve the available energy and improve its utilization. Thermal energy storage by using Phase Change Materials (PCM) is considered one of the promising technology to store thermal energy. The numerical study of the shell and tube storage unit is carried out. Paraffin wax was filled in the shell side and the Heat Transfer Fluid (HTF) flowed inside the tube. The validation among numerical and experimental results was conducted. It is found that the effect of natural convection is important and should be taken to perform the model of the heat storage unit.