Structural optimization of latent heat storage tank filled with nickel foam

Vigorous development of solar energy presents a viable solution to addressing energy scarcity and environmental pollution brought on by undue fossil energy depletion. The fluctuating and intermittent nature of solar heat storage can be mitigated by employing phase change heat storage. Adding metal foam is beneficial in improving the conduction of phase-change materials and boosting the heat transfer efficiency during charging and discharging. Nevertheless, non-uniform melting persists in heat storage tanks filled with nickel foam and there remains a potential to improve heat storage rates. To address this, a conical accumulator design is presented to improve the melting uniformity of phase change accumulators. The study involved an examination of the characteristics of melting phase transition, melting uniformity, and heat storage rates in conical tubes with ten different design ratios using validated numerical models. Findings reveal that the conical heat storage tank with 2:1 ratio from upper to lower radius results in the best heat storage performance, reducing full melting time by 16.01 % relative to the benchmark case. Furthermore, Case 5 with the ratio from upper to lower radius being 2:1 showed a maximum heat storage efficiency increase of 0.0334 kJ/s, which is an 11.68 % improvement over the benchmark case.