Mechanics of Smart Structures

Mechanics of Smart Structures

Effects of Fin Length, Thickness, and Material on Melting Time ‎‎Improvement of Phase Change Material in a Concentric Cylinder

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Mahziyar Ghaedi
Hamid-Reza Bahrami
School of Mechanical Engineering, ‎Qom University of Technology‎, Qom, Iran
10.30511/jmms.2025.2044653.1011
Abstract
Thermal energy storage is a crucial technology for optimizing ‎energy consumption and reducing heat loss, playing a key role in ‎heating, cooling, and energy storage systems. In this context, the ‎present study focuses on the numerical simulation of the melting ‎process of a phase change material (PCM) in a double-pipe heat ‎exchanger containing RT82. A two-dimensional numerical model ‎was developed using Fluent software for this simulation. In the ‎study, eight rectangular fins with varying lengths and thicknesses ‎but constant total surface area were designed to enhance heat ‎transfer and reduce melting time. This innovative strategy was ‎implemented to increase the energy storage capacity of the PCM. ‎The results showed that a 40% increase in fin length and a ‎change in fin material improved the melting rate of the PCM by ‎‎58% and 10%, respectively. These advancements represent a ‎significant step toward enhancing the efficiency of thermal ‎storage systems and reducing energy consumption.‎
Keywords
Melting progress
Double heat exchanger
Phase change material
‎Latent heat
Energy storage