A 1D Reduced-Order Model (ROM) for a Novel Latent Thermal Energy Storage System

Phase change material (PCM)-based thermal energy storage (TES) systems are widely used for repeated intermittent heating and cooling applications. However, such typically face some challenges due to the low conductivity expensive encapsulation process of PCMs. The present study overcomes these by proposing a lightweight, low-cost, resistance TES system that realizes fluid-to-PCM additively manufactured metal-polymer composite heat exchanger (HX), based on our previously developed cross-media approach. A robust simplified, analytical-based, 1D reduced-order model (ROM) was compute performance, saving computational time compared modeling entire using PCM-related transient CFD modeling. reduced segment-level comprising single PCM-wire cylindrical domain tube-bank geometry formed metal fin-wires. detailed geometric behavior effect overlapped areas, where areas represent deviation from assumption conducted. An optimum range wire-spacings size identified. ROM assumes radial conduction inside PCM analytically computes latent stored in conservation principles. is then time-integrated TES, making computationally efficient. neglects sensible capacity thus applicable Stefan number applications study. performance parameters were validated with 2D axisymmetric model, literature, commercially available tools. For validation, parametric wide non-dimensionalized parameters, depending ranging pulsed-power peak-load shifting building application, included this paper. appears correlate well within 10%, except at extreme ranges few non-dimensional which lead condition axial PCM, deviating ROM.