Designing fin structure by topology optimization for maximizing heat transfer efficiency of latent thermal energy storage

The theory of topology optimization was integrated into the field of solid-liquid phase transition thermal energy storage. A novel fin structure was developed considering the laminar flow of liquid phase change materials, which establishes a robust design method for fin optimization in shell-and-tube latent thermal energy storage unit. In the two-dimensional latent thermal energy storage unit, convection topology optimization was used to design and optimize the topological fin structure. The influences of penalty factor and filter radius on the evolution of topology fins were clarified, meanwhile the effects of natural convection, the volume fraction of high thermal conductivity material, on the fin structure were analyzed. Natural convection is a sufficient condition for the topological fin structure to be asymmetrical along the vertical direction. When natural convection is considered, the distribution of the fin structure along the gravity direction is asymmetrical and uneven, and the fins at the bottom of the latent thermal storage unit are wider, longer, and more branched. When the volume fraction of high thermal conductivity material is higher than 0.23, the influence of natural convection on the topological fin structure can be neglected.