Numerical investigation of energy storage in packed bed of cylindrical capsules of PCM

Abstract EN

A theoretical study of storage thermal energy using capsulated cylinders filled with phase change material PCM is performed.

These cylinders are arranged in-line in the direction of heat transfer fluid.

The energy equations of fluid (water) and PCM capsules are solved numerically using finite volume method with heat capacity method for phase change of PCM.

The effect of Reynolds number and the ratio of pitch to diameter of the cylinders on the temperature distribution and melt fraction are presented.

The results show that the increment of both Reynolds number and the ratio of the pitch to diameter gives decrement in the final time of melting of PCM in the cylinders.