CFD Model of Shell-and-Tube Latent Heat Thermal Storage Unit Using Paraffin as a PCM

Abstract

This chapter validates the capability of CFD modelling technique to accurately describe processes in the thermal storage system with the PCM. For validation purposes, CFD modelling using FLUENT ANSYS was conducted and the predicted results were compared with the experimental and numerical data from the literature. The comparison between experimental and numerical results was carried out in terms of the temperature distributions and average volume of the PCM liquid fraction. Additionally, the detailed parametric study of the storage system with the PCM was performed and results obtained were discussed with dimensional correlations for the Nusselt number being proposed to be used in the designing process. Finally, a correlation was developed to estimate the total melting time at the thermal storage system.