Solidification characteristics in rotating gradient metal foam based on Taguchi and response surface analysis

To improve the heat release efficiency of the heat storage tank, an optimization technology coupling rotation and radial gradient metal foam is proposed, which imposes the forced convection heat transfer and improves the thermal conduction. This research investigates the solidification characteristics and heat release of the gradient metal foam heat storage tank under rotating conditions through Taguchi design and response surface optimization coupling analysis. Firstly, the design form of gradient metal foam is studied, and the best form of heat release is determined. Then, the three robust significant parameters are selected after analyzing four key influencing parameters by Taguchi design. The response surface method is used to optimize the heat release performance, and the relevant formula for predicting the complete solidification time is derived. Lastly, according to the relevant formula, the design parameters of the gradient foam structure with optimal heat release performance are determined. The results show that the optimal heat release rate of the optimized gradient metal foam heat storage tank under rotating condition is 0.04092 KJ/s, which is 14.61 % higher than that of the standard heat storage tank.