Numerical Investigation of Polyethylene-Based Composite Phase Change Material in Cylindrical Shell and Coil Thermal Energy Storage

Abstract

In the context of energy conversion systems, understanding the performance of thermal energy storage is crucial. Latent thermal energy storage (LTES) system is a prominent application of energy conversion system due to its high volumetric energy holding capacity. However, its performance is limited due to unfavorable thermophysical properties of phase change material (PCM). Linear low-density polyethylene (LLDP) is a justified potential PCM due to the huge waste recycled material piled up every year based on massive use of plastic products. Present numerical work explores performance enhancement of a shell and coil-based LTES system. The thermophysical properties of LLDP are improved by adding functionalized graphene in the proportion of 1%, 3% and 5% in the composition termed as CPCM1, CPCM2 and CPCM3, respectively. The results confirm that adding graphene decreases the charging time of LTES, maximum up to 40%, and the average temperature of PCM increases along with the concentration of graphene. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.