Development and experimental analysis of a novel type of phase change material based shell-and-tube latent heat storage for heat pump system

• Published in: Energy conversion and management 2024-12, Vol.321, p.119095, Article 119095
• Main Authors: Li, Weilin, Liang, Yonghui, Gao, Haichao, Li, Rufei, Guo, Yabin, Yang, Liu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Demand side management; Experimental investigation; Heat pump system; latent heat storage (LHS); New equipment development; Phase change material (PCM)
• ISSN: 0196-8904
• DOI: 10.1016/j.enconman.2024.119095

[Display omitted] •Innovative phase change energy storage equipment for heat pumps is introduced.•Thermodynamic models and control strategies for various modes are developed.•Office building heat pump is upgraded with the energy storage integration.•Heat storage and release performance is studied by multi-case experiments.•Continuous heat release of 48–109 min achieves about 90% power reduction. Latent heat storage equipment, an emerging technology that utilizes the latent heat of phase change materials for thermal storage, have garnered scholarly interest for its potential in modulating building thermal loads. Current research predominantly focuses on theoretical models or small-scale storage units, with limited investigation into operational performance in buildings. This study addresses these gaps by proposing a novel, structurally simple, non-pressurized shell-and-tube latent heat storage equipment for air source heat pump systems. A mathematical model for heat transfer is developed, and the equipment is integrated with the air source heat pump, utilizing identified phase change materials and control logic for various modes. Field experiments on a retrofitted office building air source heat pump system demonstrate a maximum phase change latent heat extraction rate of 71.0%, a maximum heat release duration of 109 min, and a maximum electricity reduction rate of 95.3%. These findings underscore the potential of the equipment in enhancing the flexibility of building electricity use.