Experimental Study on Thermal Performance of PCM in an Inclined Shell-and-Tube Latent Heat Thermal Energy Storage Unit

Abstract

Latent heat thermal energy storage systems play a crucial role in aligning energy supply with demand, enhancing the efficiency of energy usage, thereby aiding in energy conservation and emissions reduction, and promoting the efficient use of renewable energy. Therefore, we constructed an experimental apparatus for a shell-and-tube latent heat storage. This apparatus was utilized to investigate how varying the inclination angle of the heat storage device, the inlet temperature of the heat transfer fluid (HTF), and water flow direction affect both the heat transfer behavior and the thermal efficiency of the system. The findings indicate that as the inlet temperature rises, the melting rate of the phase-change material (PCM) increases; when the inclination angle is 0°, for every 5 °C increase in water temperature, the time required to reach thermal equilibrium is shortened by 2 h, and the time needed for the PCM to transition from a solid to a liquid state is correspondingly reduced by 2 h. Additionally, the temperature variation trend of the phase-change material remains fundamentally consistent at different inclination angles. However, as the angle increases from 0° to 90°, there is a gradual reduction in the melting rate. Whether the water enters from the top or bottom, the melting rate of the PCM remains almost unchanged, and the stabilized temperature of the PCM is also nearly the same.