Numerical Simulation of Thermal Energy Storage using Phase

In recent years, researchers have focused on the storage of direct sunlight in the form of heat by utilizing temperature changes through various techniques. The primary task in thermal energy storage (TES) is the time span of charging and discharging while maintaining temperature. This study includes the design optimization of TES in a cylindrical cavity using Gallium as a phase change material (PCM). The methodology involves CFD simulation and the design of five models using ANSYS Fluent software, examining each model under similar operating conditions. The first model lacks fins with four heat sources, while the subsequent four models include fins on the heat source surfaces with varying numbers of heat sources and fin designs. The analysis is carried out at a constant heat source temperature of 343K, with the external cylinder surface assumed adiabatic at 298K. Results indicate that designs with fins outperform those without fins due to increased heat transfer surface area. A comparative analysis of models reveals that model 4, featuring three heat sources, yields results similar to model 2 with four heat sources, while model 5 shows less useful results regarding time efficiency.