Flow Characteristics and Heat-Transfer Enhancement of Air Agitation in Ice Storage Air Conditioning Systems

A large number of bubbles generated by the air agitation device in an external melting ice storage system can cause disturbance ice–water mixture, which enhance heat transfer and contribute to reduction energy consumption. The structural design optimization is key issue for savings. In this study, influence different orifice spacings diameters on distribution gas–liquid flow field, gas holdup, heat-transfer coefficient, power consumption tank was investigated numerical simulation. simulated results showed that coefficient mixture with should be 3–5 times higher than natural convection when superficial velocity 0.03 m/s. holdup mainly affected spacing, maximum varied from 5.0% 8.2%. When spacing less 150 mm, changed a little horizontal direction, uniformity became worse larger 180 mm. An diameter 3 mm improve air-compressing consumption, decreased approximately 1.62%.