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<p>Thermal energy storage (TES) improves the reliability of solar energy systems by mitigating supply–demand mismatches. Phase change materials (PCMs), such as paraffin wax, have high latent heat storage capacity, but their low thermal conductivity limits heat transfer during melting. In this study, finned TES systems are used to enhance the thermal performance of a cylindrical PCM-based configuration. Three cases were examined: (i) case 1–without fins, (ii) case 2–three annular fins with a larger fin positioned near the bottom, and (iii) case 3–a large fin located near the top. Under identical charging with constant heat input, the total heat stored for cases 1, 2, and 3 is 137&#xa0;kJ, 140&#xa0;kJ, and 134&#xa0;kJ, respectively. The corresponding thermal efficiencies are 23.41%, 35.89%, and 31.52%, with case 2 displaying high performance. This enhancement is further supported by the Nusselt numbers of 146, 324, and 175 at the start for the three configurations. Complete melting times decrease from 62&#xa0;min (case 1) and 40&#xa0;min (case 3) to 30&#xa0;min in case 2, representing reductions of 51.6–25%, respectively. Additionally, an artificial neural network (ANN) model is designed and used to predict transient temperature variations with a mean absolute error of 0.212. The results highlight the effectiveness of optimised fin arrangements in accelerating PCM melting and improving TES performance, providing insights for the design of efficient solar thermal storage systems.</p>

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Experimental analysis of the melting of a phase change material in a cylindrical container using annular fins

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年5月25日

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  • Banumathi Munuswamy Swami Punniakodi,
  • Yasser S. Alzahrani,
  • Prathiban Sridhar,
  • Vikneswaran Malaiperumal

摘要

Thermal energy storage (TES) improves the reliability of solar energy systems by mitigating supply–demand mismatches. Phase change materials (PCMs), such as paraffin wax, have high latent heat storage capacity, but their low thermal conductivity limits heat transfer during melting. In this study, finned TES systems are used to enhance the thermal performance of a cylindrical PCM-based configuration. Three cases were examined: (i) case 1–without fins, (ii) case 2–three annular fins with a larger fin positioned near the bottom, and (iii) case 3–a large fin located near the top. Under identical charging with constant heat input, the total heat stored for cases 1, 2, and 3 is 137 kJ, 140 kJ, and 134 kJ, respectively. The corresponding thermal efficiencies are 23.41%, 35.89%, and 31.52%, with case 2 displaying high performance. This enhancement is further supported by the Nusselt numbers of 146, 324, and 175 at the start for the three configurations. Complete melting times decrease from 62 min (case 1) and 40 min (case 3) to 30 min in case 2, representing reductions of 51.6–25%, respectively. Additionally, an artificial neural network (ANN) model is designed and used to predict transient temperature variations with a mean absolute error of 0.212. The results highlight the effectiveness of optimised fin arrangements in accelerating PCM melting and improving TES performance, providing insights for the design of efficient solar thermal storage systems.