Enhance heat transfer for PCM melting in triplex tube with internal-external fins

Thermal energy storage is critical for eliminating the discrepancy between energy supply and demand as well as for improving the efficiency of solar energy systems. This study numerically investigates the melting process in a triplex-tube heat exchanger with phase-change material (PCM) RT82. A two-dimensional numerical model is developed using the Fluent 6.3.26 software program. Three heating methods were used to melt the PCM from the inside tube, outside tube, and both tubes. Internal, external, and internal-external fin enhancement techniques were studied to improve the heat transfer between the PCM and heat transfer fluid. Enhancement techniques were compared with the inside tube heating, outside tube heating, both tube heating as well as the finned and internally finned tube. The effects of fin length on the enhancement techniques were investigated. Using a triplex-tube heat exchanger with internal-external fins, predicted results indicated that melting time is reduced to 43.3% in the triplex tube without fins. Experiments were conducted to validate the proposed model. Simulated results correspond with the experimental results. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.