A Parametric Study on The Performance of Latent Heat Thermal Energy Storage

Abstract

Thermal energy storage (TES) systems play a crucial role in sustainable energy management by storing excess energy for later use, improving overall efficiency, reducing emissions, and enhancing grid reliability. Among TES technologies, latent heat thermal energy storage (LHTES) systems are particularly attractive due to their high energy storage capacity and ability to operate at nearly constant temperatures. However, the low thermal conductivity of phase change materials (PCMs) remains a significant challenge, limiting the rate of heat transfer and overall system performance. This study explores the performance of an LHTES system by examining the effects of inlet temperature, mass flow rate, and flow direction, with a particular focus on horizontal flow configurations. The aim is to identify optimal parameter settings that enhance heat transfer efficiency and improve system performance. Using ANSYS Fluent, numerical simulations were conducted with paraffin wax RT82 as the PCM and copper as the triplex tube heat exchanger material. The results showed that an optimized parameter combination reduced the melting time to 232.8 minutes, a 51.44% improvement over the baseline case. These findings highlight the potential for strategic parameter optimization to significantly enhance LHTES efficiency by accelerating PCM melting and improving thermal distribution. This study provides valuable insights into optimizing LHTES system performance, contributing to the development of more effective energy storage solutions that minimize energy losses and improve thermal management.