Enhancing the thermal response of a latent heat storage system for suppressing temperature fluctuation of dusty flue gas

A latent heat thermal system suitable for high dusty flue gas environment is essential to regulate gas temperature fluctuation and improve dust removal efficiency. In the current study, an integrated thermal storage-transfer structure with phase change material (PCM) and honeycomb tube bundle was proposed and thermal response of a latent heat storage system was numerically studied. Firstly, the feasibility of using honeycomb tube bundle as thermal storage unit was verified. Next, the thermal performance enhancement of the PCM side was conducted by adding different internal fins. Finally, the predictive correlation of the suppression coefficient of temperature fluctuation was established to control the flue gas temperature reasonably based on the optimal fin arrangement obtained. The results of the present study show that the latent heat storage system with honeycomb tube bundle and internal fins is effective temperature control system. Among the five proposed internal fins, case 5 (with fins) has a higher melting and solidification rate than case 0 (without fin), and the complete melting and solidification time are reduced by 19% and 46%, respectively. According to the correlation of suppression coefficient, the latent heat storage system can be designed efficiently and reasonably, so as to improve the dust removal efficiency of the low-temperature electrostatic precipitation technology.