Numerical Assessment of an Innovative Design of an Evacuated Tube Solar Collector Incorporated with PCM Embedded Metal Foam/Plate Fins

The objective of this manuscript is to study the possibility improving thermal performance an Evacuated Tube Solar Collector (ETSC) with integration a Phase Change Material (PCM) incorporated into metallic foam and fitted plate fins. A 2D mathematical model has been proposed. Two types metal foams (copper nickel) were inserted. In addition, effect pore size on heat transfer was studied. results acquired through numerical simulations four different cases; namely, Case 1: pure PCM, 2: foam, 3: fins 4: evaluation procedure involved observing total change in Heat Transfer Fluid (HTF) temperature melted PCM fraction during single day. proved that ETSC improved considerably by inserting simultaneously. time required for whole process almost 9% compared case 2% only Results revealed slightly affects dynamic storage/release ETSC/PCM system.