Validation of a Phase Change Material in a Cell for a Thermal Energy Storage System Using CFD

Abstract

The global need to transition to renewable energy has intensified the demand for innovative solutions. However, these solutions must be not only sustainable but also efficient, as outlined in Sustainable Development Goal 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy). This research addresses the challenge of analyzing paraffin as a stable and temperature-resistant phase change material (PCM) for use in thermal energy storage systems. Such systems are often designed for water heating in households without access to electricity or fuel, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals. Currently, the share of renewable energy in global total energy consumption increased from 16.7% in 2015 to 18.7% in 2021. This growth reflects the rising adoption of these new technologies, which play a leading role in energy production. Efforts have been made to optimize and enhance their efficiency, with the use of PCMs in such systems being one promising solution. The experiment conducted utilizes paraffin as a PCM in a water-containing cell, where the heat exchange between the paraffin and water was evaluated. This model is applied to solar panel-powered water heating systems, and we assessed the feasibility of using paraffin in these applications. To evaluate and verify its performance, reference working fluids and operating conditions were adopted.