Search Results (44)

Phase change materials (PCMs) are widely used in latent heat thermal energy storage systems (LHTESSs), but their low thermal conductivity limits performance. This study numerically investigates the enhancement of thermal efficiency in LHTESSs using nano-enhanced PCM (NePCM), composed of paraffin wax embedded with copper (Cu) nanoparticles. The NePCM is confined within a trapezoidal cavity, with the base serving as the heat source. Four different cavity heights were analyzed: cases 1, 2, 3, and 4 with the heights D of 24 mm, 18 mm, 15 mm, and 13.5 mm, respectively. The finite element method was employed to solve the governing equations. The influence of two hot base temperatures (333.15 K and 338.15 K) and Cu nanoparticle volume fractions ranging from 0% to 6% was examined. The results show that incorporating Cu nanoparticles at 6 vol% (volume fraction) enhanced thermal conductivity and reduced melting time by 10.71%. Increasing the base temperature to 338.15 K accelerated melting by 65.55%. Among all configurations, case 4 exhibited the best performance, reducing melting duration by 15.12% compared to case 1. Full article

Inside a closed, thin-walled hollow cylinder, there is a solid state of phase change material (NePCM) that has been nano-enhanced. This NePCM is heated at its bottom, with nanoparticles (Al₂O₃) inserted and homogenized within the PCM (sodium acetate trihydrate, C₂H₃O₂Na) to create the NePCM. The hollow cylinder is thermally insulated from the outside ambient temperature, while the heat supplied is sufficient to cause a phase change. Once the entire NePCM has converted from a solid to a liquid due to heating, it is then cooled, and the thermal insulation is removed. The cylindrical liquefied NePCM bar is cooled in this manner. Thermal entropy, entransy dissipation rate, and bar efficiency during the heating and cooling of the NePCM bar were analyzed by changing variables. The volume fraction ratio of nanoparticles, inlet heat flux, and liquefied bar height were the variables considered. The results indicate a significant impact on the NePCM bar during liquefaction and convective cooling when the values of these variables are altered. For instance, with an increase in the volume fraction ratio from 3% to 9%, at a constant heat flux of 10⁴ Wm⁻² and a liquefied bar height of 0.02 m, the NePCM bar efficiency decreases to 99%. The thermal entropy from heat conduction through the liquefied NePCM bar is significantly lower compared to the thermal entropy from convective air cooling on its surface. The thermal entropy of the liquefied NePCM bar increases on average by 110% without any cooling. With a volume fraction ratio of 6%, there is an 80% increase in heat flux as the bar height increases to 0.02 m. Full article

Bioconvection phenomena play a pivotal role in diverse applications, including the synthesis of biological polymers and advancements in renewable energy technologies. This study develops a comprehensive mathematical model to examine the effects of key parameters, such as the Lewis number (Lb), Peclet number (Pe), volume fraction ($\phi$), and angle of inclination $\left(\alpha \right)$, on the flow and heat transfer characteristics of a nanofluid over an inclined cylinder embedded in a non-Darcy porous medium. The investigated nanofluid comprises nano-encapsulated phase-change materials (NEPCMs) dispersed in water, offering enhanced thermal performance. The governing non-linear partial differential equations are transformed into dimensionless ordinary differential equations using similarity transformations and solved numerically via the Network Simulation Method (NSM) and an implicit Runge–Kutta method implemented through the bvp4c routine in MATLAB R2021a. Validation against the existing literature confirms the accuracy and reliability of the numerical approach, with strong convergence observed. Quantitative analysis reveals that an increase in the Peclet number reduces the shear stress at the cylinder wall by up to 18% while simultaneously enhancing heat transfer by approximately 12%. Similarly, the angle of inclination ($\alpha$) significantly boosts heat transmission rates. Additionally, higher Peclet and Lewis numbers, along with greater nanoparticle volume fractions, amplify the density gradient of microorganisms, intensifying the bioconvection process by nearly 15%. These findings underscore the critical interplay between bioconvection and transport phenomena, providing a framework for optimizing bioconvection-driven heat and mass transfer systems. The insights from this investigation hold substantial implications for industrial processes and renewable energy technologies, paving the way for improved efficiency in applications such as thermal energy storage and advanced cooling systems. Full article

Recently, thermal energy storage has emerged as one of the alternative solutions to increase energy efficiency. The geometry of a thermal energy storage container holds a significant role in increasing the heat transmission rates in the container. In this article, we examined the influence of the inner and outer tube shapes of a shell and tube LHTES on the thermal activity within the system. The gap between the inner and outer tube is loaded with nano-enhanced phase change material (NePCM); hot fluid is passed through the inner tube while the outer tube is insulated. COMSOL commercial software (version 6.2) was used to numerically simulate the NePCM melting process. Mainly, six different geometries were investigated with inner or outer tubes with trefoil, cinquefoil, and heptafoil shapes. The influences of nanoparticles volumetric fraction (ϕ = 0–8%) were also discussed. The findings are displayed and discussed in terms of the average Nusselt number, the average liquid fraction, the total energy generation, and the average temperature. The findings showed that the melting process is highly affected by the shape of the inner tube and ϕ, while the outer tube shape impact is less important. It was noticed that employing an inner tube with a trefoil improved the melting process by more than 25% while increasing the ϕ from 0 to 8% resulted in reducing the melting time by up to 20%. Full article

In the actual context of growing concerns over sustainability and energy efficiency, Phase Change Materials (PCMs) have gained attention as promising solutions for enhancing energy storage and release efficiency. On another hand, materials based on graphene oxide (GO) have proven antibacterial activity, biocompatibility, efficiency in microbial growth inhibition, and pollutant removal. Integrating nanoparticles into PCMs and creating Nano-Enhanced Phase Change Materials (NEPCMs) have opened new horizons for optimizing the performance of these systems and sustainable development. The key objective of this work is to gain insight into NECPMs, which are used in solar wall systems to enhance solar energy storage. Paraffin RT31 was mixed with Cu nanoparticles, graphene oxide (GO), and Cu-decorated GO (Cu@GO) at loading ratios ranging from 1% to 4% (w/w nanoparticles with respect to RT31). The compositions were characterized through Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and rheology tests. The decoration of the carbon-based nanoparticles was performed using the ultrasonication procedure, and the decoration efficiency was confirmed through X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). The rheologic measurements were performed to correlate the flow behavior of the NEPCM with their composition at various temperatures. The study methodically investigated these composites’ latent heat values, phase change peak temperatures, and solidification phase change temperatures. Compared to pure paraffin, the solidification of the formulations obtained using Cu@GO exhibits the largest increase in latent heat, with a 12.07% growth at a concentration of 2%. Additionally, at a 4% concentration of NEPCM, the largest increase in thermal conductivity was attained, namely 12.5%. Full article

The building sector plays an important role in the global climate change mitigation objectives. The reduction of CO₂ emissions and energy consumption in the building sector has been intensively investigated in the last decades, with solar thermal energy considered to be one of the most promising solutions due to its abundance and accessibility. However, the discontinuity of solar energy has led to the study of thermal energy storage to improve the thermal performance of solar thermal systems. In this review paper, the integration of various types of phase-change materials (PCMs) in transpired solar collectors (TSC) is reviewed and discussed, with an emphasis on heat transfer enhancements, including nanomaterials. Thermal energy storage applied to TSC is studied in terms of design criteria, materials technologies, and its impact on thermal conductivity. This review highlights the potential of nanomaterial technology integration in terms of thermal performance improvements. The utilization of nanomaterials in solar walls holds the potential to significantly enhance their performance. The integration of diverse materials such as graphene, graphite, metal oxides, and carbon nanoparticles can pave the way for improving thermal conductivity. Full article

Phase change materials (PCMs) are increasingly gaining prominence in thermal energy storage due to their impressive energy storage capacity per unit volume, especially in applications with low and medium temperatures. Nevertheless, PCMs have significant limitations regarding their ability to conduct and store heat, primarily due to their inadequate thermal conductivity. One potential solution for improving the thermal conductivity of PCMs involves the inclusion of nanoparticles into them. However, a recurring issue arises after several thermal cycles, as most nanoparticles have a tendency to clump together and settle at the container’s base due to their low interfacial strength and poor compatibility. To address this challenge, including surfactants such as sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (SDBS) has emerged as a prevalent and economically viable approach, demonstrating a substantial impact on the dispersion of carbon nanoparticles within PCMs. The foremost objective is to investigate the improvement of thermal energy storage by utilizing graphene nanoplatelets (GNP), which are dispersed in A70 PCM at various weight percentages (0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, and 1.0), both with and without the use of surfactants. The findings indicate a remarkable enhancement in thermal conductivity when GNP with surfactants is added to the PCM, showing an impressive increase of 122.26% with a loading of 1.0 wt.% compared to conventional PCM. However, when 1.0 wt.% pure GNP was added, the thermal conductivity only increased by 48.83%. Additionally, the optical transmittance of the composite containing ASG-1.0 was significantly reduced by 84.95% compared to conventional PCM. Furthermore, this newly developed nanocomposite exhibits excellent stability, enduring 1000 thermal cycles and demonstrating superior thermal and chemical stability up to 257.51 °C. Due to its high thermal stability, the composite NePCM is an ideal candidate for preheating in industrial and photovoltaic thermal (PVT) applications, where it can effectively store thermal energy. Full article

Phase-change materials (PCMs) are becoming more widely acknowledged as essential elements in thermal energy storage, greatly aiding the pursuit of lower building energy consumption and the achievement of net-zero energy goals. PCMs are frequently constrained by their subpar heat conductivity, despite their expanding importance. This in-depth research includes a thorough categorization and close examination of PCM features. The most current developments in nanoencapsulated PCM (NEPCMs) techniques are also highlighted, along with recent developments in thermal energy storage technology. The assessment also emphasizes how diligently researchers have worked to advance the subject of PCMs, including the creation of devices with improved thermal performance using nano-enhanced PCMs (NEnPCMs). This review intends to highlight the progress made in improving the efficiency and efficacy of PCMs by providing a critical overview of these improvements. The paper concludes by discussing current challenges and proposing future directions for the continued advancement of PCMs and their diverse applications. Full article

Utilizing latent heat thermal energy storage (LHTES) units shows promise as a potential solution for bridging the gap between energy supply and demand. While an LHTES unit benefits from the latent heat of the high-capacity phase change material (PCM) and experiences only minor temperature variations, the low thermal conductivity of PCMs hinders the rapid adoption of LHTES units by the market. In this regard, the current work aims to investigate the thermal behavior of a semi-cylindrical LHTES unit with various copper fin configurations (including horizontal, inclined, and vertical fins) on the melting flow. The novelty of this research lies in the fact that no prior studies have delved into the impact of various fin structures on the thermal performance of a semi-cylindrical LHTES system. The nano-enhanced phase change material (NePCM) fills the void within the unit. The warm water enters the semicircular channel and transfers a portion of its thermal energy to the solid NePCM through the copper separators. It is found that the system experiences the highest charging capability when the fins are mounted horizontally and close to the adiabatic upper wall. Moreover, the presence of dispersed graphite nanoplatelets (GNPs) inside the pure PCM increases the charging power and temperature of the LHTES unit. Full article

The growing demands of modern life, industrialization, and technological progress have significantly increased energy requirements. However, this heightened need for energy has raised concerns about its impact on the environment and the rising costs associated with it. Therefore, the engineering sector is actively seeking sustainable and cost-effective energy solutions. Among the promising innovations in solving the problem is the photovoltaic thermal system (PVT), which aims to capture electrical and thermal energy from solar radiation. Despite its potential, the application of PVT systems is currently limited due to the unpredictable nature of solar energy and the absence of efficient thermal energy storage capabilities. To address these challenges, researchers have explored the use of phase change materials and nano-improved phase change materials (NEPCMs) to optimize energy extraction from solar systems. By incorporating these materials, the PVT system can maximize energy utilization. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the potential applications of PVT techniques in both industrial and building settings. It also offers a detailed assessment of their commercial and environmental aspects. The research findings highlight several advantages of PVT systems, including reduced electricity consumption, efficient utilization of cooling and heating loads during off-peak periods, improved temperature stability, and enhanced thermal comfort. Furthermore, the integration of NEPCMs in PVT systems has demonstrated superior thermal performance, enabling 8.3% more heat energy storage during charging and 25.1% more heat energy release during discharging. Additionally, the implementation of solar-assisted combined heating and power systems showed the potential to prevent the emission of 911 tons of CO₂ per year compared to conventional PV systems. These systems offer a promising pathway towards mitigating environmental impacts while meeting energy demands. Overall, this review article serves as a valuable resource for fellow researchers by providing detailed insights into the viability of PVT systems for various applications in the industrial and building sectors. Full article

Nanostructured phase change materials (NePCM) are phase change materials that contain different types and sizes of colloidal I removed the word sizes particles. Many investigations in the literature assess those type of phase change materials to investigate their thermal performance. However, there is a discrepancy between the experimental observations and numerical results of the melting process of the NePCM because most numerical models do not count for the mass transfer of the particles. In the current work, we will investigate the melting process of NePCM that consists of copper nanoparticles suspended in water for the geometry of a square cavity, heated from the two sides, cooled from one side, and the remaining side is thermally insulated. Our numerical model will account for the mass transfer of the particles using a one-fluid mixture and the enthalpy porosity model for accounting for the phase change process. We found that adding the particles will lead to the deceleration of the melting process, as described by the experiments, because of the reduction of the convection intensity. We found that for NePCM suspension containing 10% of nanoparticles by mass, the deceleration of melting will be about 2.2% compared to pure water. Most of the particles are convected away by the flow cells toward the bottom side of the cavity, especially near the isolated right side of the cavity. Our findings indicate that incorporating mass transport of particles leads to a significantly improved prediction of the melting behavior of the NePCM. Full article

A numerical investigation of the magnetohydrodynamics of a mixed convection of nano-enhanced phase change material (NEPCM) within a triangular chamber containing an elliptical heat source is presented in this article. The forced convection has resulted from the movement of the upper cavity, while the free convection is due to the temperature difference between the heat source and cold inclined sidewalls. Four cases are considered based on the directions of the moving of the upper wall parts, namely, Case 1, where the left part is moving in the positive direction of the $X$-axis and the right part moves in the opposite direction (1(+−)), Case 2, where the two parts move in the positive direction of the $X$-axis (2(++)), Case 3, where the two parts move in the negative direction of the $X$-axis (3(− −)), and Case 4, where the left part moves in the negative direction of the $X$-axis and the right part moves in the negative direction (4(−+)). The Galerkin finite element method (GFEM) is employed for addressing the governing equations of the system under study. The impacts of the Reynolds number $\left(1\le Re\le 100\right)$, the inclination angle of the elliptic heat source $\left(0\le \gamma \le 90\right)$, the nanoparticles volume fraction $\varphi \left(0\%\le \varphi \le 8\%\right)$ and the movement directions of the parts of the upper wall (four cases) are presented and discussed. The results suggested that increasing Re enhanced the heat transfer rate, while increasing Ha reduced it. The vertical positions of the elliptical heat source resulted in the maximum heat transmission rate. At the highest Re, changing the location of the heat source from horizontal ($\gamma =0$) to vertical ($\gamma =90$) enhanced the average Nusselt number by 60%, while choosing Case 1 for upper wall movement increased the average Nusselt number by 300% compared to Cases 2 and 3. Full article

Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was utilised to compare the thermal stability of pure phase change material (D-mannitol) to that of nano-enhanced PCM (NEPCM) (i.e., PCM containing 0.5% and 1% multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT)). Using model-free kinetics techniques, the kinetics of pure PCM and NEPCM degradation were analysed. Three different kinetic models such as Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose (KAS), the Flynn-Wall-Ozawa (FWO), and the Starink were applied to assess the activation energies of the pure and nano-enhanced PCM samples. Activation energies for pure PCM using the Ozawa, KAS, and Starink methods ranged from 71.10–77.77, 79.36–66.87, and 66.53–72.52 kJ/mol, respectively. NEPCM’s (1% MWCNT) activation energies ranged from 76.59–59.11, 71.52–52.28, and 72.15–53.07 kJ/mol. Models of machine learning were utilised to predict the degradation of NEPCM samples; these included linear regression, support vector regression, random forests, gaussian process regression, and artificial neural network models. The mass loss of the sample functioned as the output parameter, while the addition of nanoparticles weight fraction, the heating rate, and the temperature functioned as the input parameters. Experiment-based TGA data can be accurately predicted using the created machine learning models. Full article

Domestic water heating accounts for 15% to 27% of the total energy consumption in buildings in Australia. Over the past two decades, the latent heat thermal energy storage (LHTES) system has been widely investigated as a way to reduce fossil fuel consumption and increase the share of renewable energy in solar water heating. However, the research has concentrated on the geometric optimisation of the LHTES heat exchanger for the past few years, and this might not be sufficient for commercialisation. Moreover, recent review papers mainly discussed the development of a particular heat-transfer improvement technique. This paper presents perspectives on various solar hot water systems using LHTES to shift focus to on-demand performance studies, as well as structure optimisation studies for faster commercialisation. Future challenges are also discussed. Since the topic is an active area of research, this paper focuses on references that showcase the overall performance of LHTES-assisted solar hot water systems and cannot include all published work in the discussion. This perspective paper provides directional insights to researchers for developing an energy-efficient solar hot water system using LHTES. Full article

Nanoencapsulated phase change materials (NePCMs) are promising thermal energy storage (TES) and heat transfer materials that show great potential in battery thermal management systems (BTMSs). In this work, nanocapsules with a paraffin core and silica shell were prepared using an optimized sol-gel method. The samples were characterized by different methods regarding chemical composition, thermal properties, etc. Then, the nanocapsules were used as the coolant by mixing with insulation oil in the immersion cooling of a simulative battery. The sample doped with Ag on the shell with a core-to-shell ratio of 1:1 showed the best performance. Compared to the sample without doping material, the thermal conductivity increased by 49%, while the supercooling degree was reduced by 35.6%. The average temperature of the simulative battery cooled by nanocapsule slurries decreased by up to 3.95 °C compared to the test performed with pure insulation oil as the coolant. These novel nanocapsules show great potential in the immersion cooling of a battery. Full article