Charging optimization of multi-tube latent heat storage comprising composite aluminum foam/nano-enhanced coconut oil

•A novel fast-charging thermal energy storage (TES) unit was proposed.•The combination of metal foam, nanoadditives, and geometrical optimization was used to maximize the charging rate.•The variation of the design parameters could improve the melting rate by 41%.•The optimal design of the TES unit c...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of heat and mass transfer 2021-12, Vol.180, p.121757, Article 121757
Main Authors: Hashem Zadeh, Seyed Mohsen, Ghodrat, Maryam, Raahemifar, Kaamran, Younis, Obai, Ghalambaz, Mohammad
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aluminum
Charging
Copper oxides
Design parameters
Energy storage
Fast charging
Heat recovery
Heat storage
Latent heat
Latent heat thermal energy storage
Melting
Metal foam
Metal foams
Nanoparticles
Optimization
Optimum design
Taguchi methods
Thermal energy
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Summary:•A novel fast-charging thermal energy storage (TES) unit was proposed.•The combination of metal foam, nanoadditives, and geometrical optimization was used to maximize the charging rate.•The variation of the design parameters could improve the melting rate by 41%.•The optimal design of the TES unit can be fully charged in two hours.•The presence of the nanoparticles could improve the discharge rate by less than 2%. The fast charging of thermal energy storage (TES) systems is a requirement for the practical application of these systems. The thermal energy should be stored in a unit within a reasonable time. The present research aims to minimize the thermal charging time of a latent heat TES unit by using aluminium foams, nanoparticles (copper oxide), and geometrical optimization of the unit. The melting phase change was simulated in the TES unit by using FEM. The Taguchi optimization method was invoked to maximize the melting rate during two hours of thermal charging. The results showed that the geometrical design of the unit and the porosity of foam are the most influential design parameters on the thermal energy storage and melting rate. The variation of the design parameters could improve the melting rate by 41%. The presence of nanoparticles could only improve the melting rate by less than 2%. The optimal design of the TES unit can be fully charged in two hours. Such fast-charging time could be advantageous in solar systems and transient heat recovery. [Display omitted]
ISSN:0017-9310
1879-2189
DOI:10.1016/j.ijheatmasstransfer.2021.121757