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ORIGINAL RESEARCH article

Front. Energy Res.
Sec. Energy Storage
Volume 12 - 2024 | doi: 10.3389/fenrg.2024.1458591
This article is part of the Research Topic Cold (Thermal) Energy Storage, Conversion, and Utilization View all articles

Study on the thermal storage properties of a spiral tube heat storage tank based on numerical analysis

Provisionally accepted
Yuna Li Yuna Li 1Xiaojun Wang Xiaojun Wang 2Yang Yu Yang Yu 3Tao Wang Tao Wang 4*
  • 1 Zhengzhou Electric Power College, zhengzhou, China
  • 2 State Grid Henan Comprehensive Energy Services Co., Ltd, Zhengzhou, China
  • 3 Henan Ju'an Heating Technology Co., Ltd, Zhengzhou, China
  • 4 Zhengzhou University of Light Industry, Zhengzhou, China

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    The spiral tube heat storage tank is a highly efficient device designed for storing and releasing heat, utilizing a spiral tube structure. Its key advantages include efficiency, reliability, and flexibility, making it suitable for a wide range of conditions, from high temperatures and pressures to low temperatures and high vacuums. This study aims to analyze phase change heat storage in spiral tube heat storage tanks using numerical simulation. It explores the impact of varying water supply temperatures on heat transfer efficiency and the melting behavior of phase change materials within the tanks. Proposed enhancements, informed by numerical simulation results, seek to improve heat transfer efficiency. Simulation findings indicate that charging efficiency rises with increased temperature differentials, akin to sleeve-type heat exchangers. Calculations suggest faster melting of phase change materials at the central position of the tank's spiral tube, with slower melting near the vessel wall. Consequently, reducing the number of spiral tubes in the middle is suggested for future structural optimization.

    Keywords: Heat storage equipment, Spiral tubes, Phase change heat storage, Temperature monitoring, numerical simulation

    Received: 02 Jul 2024; Accepted: 04 Sep 2024.

    Copyright: © 2024 Li, Wang, Yu and Wang. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence: Tao Wang, Zhengzhou University of Light Industry, Zhengzhou, China

    Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.