Amrita Sharma
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur,
NH 62, Surpura Bypass Rd, Karwar, Rajasthan 342037, India
Shobhana Singh
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur,
NH 62, Surpura Bypass Rd, Karwar, Rajasthan 342037, India
Bobin Mondal
Defence Lab Jodhpur, Defence Research & Development Organisation,
Ratanada Palace, Cantt Area, Jodhpur, Rajasthan 342011, India
B. Kothadia Hardik
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur,
NH 62, Surpura Bypass Rd, Karwar, Rajasthan 342037, India
In the present study, the influence of employing a snowflake-shaped fin on the Phase Change Material (PCM) side is analysed numerically and compared with longitudinal fin on achieving reduced full solidification time in a latent heat-based heat exchanger. Fins are always helpful in achieving a greater thermal penetration depth which yields an enhanced heat transfer rate. Finite volume method using enthalpy porosity technique is applied on the transient two-dimensional model of snowflake-shaped fin and a longitudinal fin embedded Latent Heat Thermal Energy Storage Systems (LHTESS). Performance of two different arrangements for snowflake-shaped fins, such as inline and staggered, attached on the wall of the refrigerant tube is evaluated and compared with simple longitudinal fin. The impact of fin configuration is being deduced by examining the heat transfer rate between the PCM and heat transfer fluid (HTF) and comparing the full solidification time required in all the configurations for freezing water when used as PCM. Results obtained indicate that the solidification process is quicker in the snowflake-shaped fin case than in the simple longitudinal fin and shows a slight improvement in the performance for inline and staggered configuration.