Numerical simulation and characterization of zinc aluminium 12 alloy for latent heat thermal energy storage application

Abstract

Thermal Energy Storage (TES) has gained popularity in recent times as it provides an efficient and economical approach to limit the discrepancy between supply and demand for energy. In the current paper, the thermal performance of a hypereutectic zinc-12% aluminium (ZA 12) alloy has been studied and is proposed as a potential metallic phase change material to be used for the purpose of Latent Heat Thermal Energy Storage (LHTES) application operating at a temperature range of 300 °C to 500°C. Characterization of the alloy is performed using Fourier technique to determine relevant properties. The change in enthalpy is calculated to be 296.33?J/g-K, while the measured value of mean specific heat and latent heat were 0.531?J/g-K and 130.68?J/g respectively. Both solid fraction and thermal diffusivity were determined as a function of temperature for the mushy region. A numerically validated transient model based on the enthalpy -porosity formulation is employed to analyze the solidification/melting performance of ZA 12 alloy. Contour of liquid fraction and velocity streamline during phase transformation is obtained revealing various details about the process mechanism. © 2020 Author(s).