Experimental investigation of variable fin length on melting performance in a rectangular enclosure containing phase change material

TEMEL Ü. N., KILINÇ F.

International Communications in Heat and Mass Transfer, cilt.142, 2023 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 142
  • Basım Tarihi: 2023
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.icheatmasstransfer.2023.106658
  • Dergi Adı: International Communications in Heat and Mass Transfer
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, PASCAL, Aerospace Database, INSPEC, Civil Engineering Abstracts
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Phase change material, Latent heat storage, Variable fin length, Melting, Infrared thermography
  • Sivas Cumhuriyet Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

© 2023 Elsevier LtdThe present study proposes a new technique to determine liquid fractions of phase change material during the melting process in a left-side heated rectangular enclosure. The effects of variable fin length arrangements on the melting performance of phase change material (PCM) were also investigated experimentally. Detailed information about solid, mushy, and liquid ratios was obtained by analysing the temperature histograms of real thermal images of the melting zone. In accordance with the nature of the melting, the use of variable-length fins shortens the melting time by 14.9% compared to the equal-length fin arrangement. Similarly, variable-length fins reduce the average temperature of the latent heat thermal energy storage (LHTES) by around 10 °C compared to the equal-length fin arrangement. The use of variable length fin arrangements ensures a more homogeneous melting process within the LHTES. The fin arrangement evenly distributed to the entire heating source is more effective at low heating rates. In contrast, fin arrangements evenly distributed over the lower half of the heating source are more efficient at high heating rates.