NUMERICAL STUDY ON HEAT RELEASE PERFORMANCE OF TRIPLE-TUBE PHASE CHANGE THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE UNIT

Han Zhonghe; Deng Xiaoyu; Li Chen; Li Hengfan

doi:10.19912/j.0254-0096.tynxb.2025-0358

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Acta Energiae Solaris Sinica ›› 2026, Vol. 47 ›› Issue (7) : 318-328. DOI: 10.19912/j.0254-0096.tynxb.2025-0358

NUMERICAL STUDY ON HEAT RELEASE PERFORMANCE OF TRIPLE-TUBE PHASE CHANGE THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE UNIT

Han Zhonghe, Deng Xiaoyu, Li Chen, Li Hengfan

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Abstract

This study focuses on a triple-tube phase change thermal storage unit and first analyzes the evolution of liquid fraction and average temperature during the heat release process for single-tube and double-tube configurations at 30%-80% filling ratios. It compares differences in total heat released, solidification time, and specific heat release rate. Second, the study selects 30% and 80% PCM filling ratios to investigate the evolution of liquid fraction and vorticity contours during heat release in single-tube and double-tube configurations, aiming to elucidate their heat transfer mechanisms. Furthermore, using the CRITIC method and VIKOR method, it evaluates the heat release performance of different configurations at various filling ratios, identifying the optimal model as the single-tube configuration with 80% PCM filling ratio. Finally, it examines the impact of PCM radial position on heat release performance for the optimal model. The results indicate that increasing PCM filling ratio enhances total heat released but reduces specific heat release rate. When the filling ratio exceeds 60%, the single-tube configuration not only benefits from larger heat transfer area and superior thermal conductivity but also accelerates vortex generation and diffusion within the PCM, thereby strengthening convective heat transfer and significantly outperforming the double-tube configuration. Under constant outer tube diameter and PCM filling ratio, radially positioning PCM closer to the outer wall increases heat transfer area and improves thermal efficiency. The closer the PCM is to the outer wall, the shorter the solidification time and the better the heat release performance.

Key words

solidification / natural convection / phase change material / triple-tube phase change thermal energy storage unit / filling ratio / filling model / radial position

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Han Zhonghe, Deng Xiaoyu, Li Chen, Li Hengfan. NUMERICAL STUDY ON HEAT RELEASE PERFORMANCE OF TRIPLE-TUBE PHASE CHANGE THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE UNIT[J]. Acta Energiae Solaris Sinica. 2026, 47(7): 318-328 https://doi.org/10.19912/j.0254-0096.tynxb.2025-0358

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