Experimental Study of a Finned-tubes Phase Change Heat Storage System

The present study explores experimentally the characteristics of heat charging and discharging in a finned-tubes phase change heat storage system. The motivation of this study is to design and construct a novel storage system responding to charging and discharging characteristics of the system. The PCM is stored in the space between a cluster of finned tubes through which the heat transfer fluid (HTF), here water, is flowing and a shell. An investigation is performed for the outlet temperature of HTF, temperature distribution in device, quantity of heat charging and discharging, when the flux of HTF varies from 0.5 t/h to 1.5 t/h. In addition, the uniformity of PCM temperature in device which has been reduced spaces between fins is compared with the unimproved device. The results indicate that for the good use of the system the flux of HTF should be accurately considered, and also illuminate the temperature distribution in PCM is more uniform in the improved heat storage system.