The effect of various arrangements of airflow channel in a proposed storage heater based on copper foam soaked in a phase change material (PCM) is investigated. Different configurations of the air channel using a serpentine channel, as well as numbers of the air channels, are examined in a representative three‐dimensional computer‐based model (Ansys Fluent). Evaluation is performed by PCM discharging rate and output air temperature of the unit. The goal is to improve both uniformity and value of air temperature. Changing the airflow arrangement using serpentine configuration to increase heat exchange surface area reduces solidification time and increases output maximum air temperature as well as pressure drop; conversely, exit air achieves lower temperature uniformity. In the case of the shortest solidification time using one air‐channel with the length of 51 cm, the solidification time reduces to almost 6 hours, compared with 13.6 hours for the straight channel with 37 cm length, with the average output temperature of 56°C compared to 41°C for the straight channel; however, the achieved temperature difference from the initial to the end of solidification time is 13.7°C compared to 4.5°C for the straight tube.

中文翻译：

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气流通道布置对复合金属泡沫相变材料换热器排放的影响

研究了在基于相变材料（PCM）浸泡的泡沫铜的储热器中，气流通道的各种布置的影响。在具有代表性的三维计算机模型（Ansys Fluent）中，检查了使用蛇形通道的空气通道的不同配置以及空气通道的数量。通过PCM排放速率和设备的输出空气温度进行评估。目的是改善空气温度的均匀性和值。使用蛇形配置更改气流布置以增加热交换表面积，从而减少了固化时间，并增加了输出最高空气温度以及压降；相反，出口空气的温度均匀性较低。在使用一个长度为51 cm的空气通道的最短凝固时间的情况下，凝固时间减少到将近6小时，而对于长度为37 cm的直通道，凝固时间为13.6小时，平均输出温度为56° C与41°C的直通道相比; 但是，从凝固开始到结束的温差为13.7°C，而直管为4.5°C。