Validation of a CFD model for the simulation of heat transfer in a tubes-in-tank PCM storage unit

Abstract

a b s t r a c tA computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model was developed for the simulation of a phase change thermal energy storage process in a 100 l cylindrical tank, horizontally placed. The model is validated with experimental data obtained for the same configuration. The cold storage unit was charged using water as the heat transfer medium, flowing inside a horizontal tube bundle, and the selected phase change material (PCM) was microencapsulated slurry in 45% w/w concentration. The mathematical model is based on the three-dimensional transient NaviereStokes equations with nonlinear temperature dependent thermo-physical properties of the PCM during the phase change range. These properties were experimentally determined using analytical methods. The governing equations were solved using the ANSYS/FLUENT commercial software package. The mathematical model is validated with experimental data for three different flow rates of the heat transfer fluid during the charging process. Bulk temperature, heat transfer rate and amount of energy stored were used as performance indicators. It was found that the PCM bulk temperatures were predicted within 5% of the experimental data. The results have also shown that the total accumulated energy was within 10% of the observed value, and thus it can be concluded that the model predicts the heat transfer inside the storage system with good accuracy.

Investigation of an Innovative Three-Phase Thermochemical Reactor for Building’s Application

“…). The root mean square percent error ranges from 6.02% to 12.29%, within the acceptable error range [10,11].…”

“…Fig 4 Pictures of the built reactor: (a) the container, (b) reactor without fins, (c) reactor with fins, (d) the container filled with zeolite 13X By comparing the reactor outlet air temperature in charging and discharging processes, a good agreement has been obtained between the numerical modelling and experiment (Fig 5(a) and Fig 5(b)). The root mean square percent error ranges from 6.02% to 12.29%, within the acceptable error range[10,11].…”

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