Thermal Energy Storage (TES) is a key feature in the sizing of thermal systems and energy management. The Phase Change Material (PCM) can store a huge amount of heat in the form of latent heat. However, a good design of the TES unit is required to absorb thermal energy and charge quickly. In the present study, a combination of optimum fin design and nanoadditives are used to design a shell and tube shape TES unit. The Taguchi optimization method is employed to maximize the melting rate by optimizing the arrangement shape of fins and the type and the volume fractions of nanoparticles. The results showed that long fins should be mounted at the bottom and short fins at the top, so that the PCM melts down at the bottom quickly, and consequently, a natural convection circulation occurs at the bottom and advances in the solid PCM. The short fins at the top allow a good natural convection circulation at the top. An increase in the volume fraction of nanoparticles increases the melting rate. An optimum design shows a 20% more melting rate compared to a poor design.

中文翻译：

---

可变长度鳍片和不同的高导热率纳米颗粒对包含生物相变物质的储能单元性能的影响

热能存储（TES）是热力系统规模调整和能源管理中的关键功能。相变材料（PCM）可以潜热形式存储大量热量。然而，需要TES单元的良好设计来吸收热能并快速充电。在本研究中，结合了最佳散热片设计和纳米添加剂来设计壳管形状的TES单元。Taguchi优化方法用于通过优化鳍的排列形状以及纳米颗粒的类型和体积分数来最大化熔化速率。结果表明，应在底部安装长翅片，在顶部安装短翅片，以使PCM在底部快速熔化，因此，自然对流循环在底部发生并在固态PCM中推进。顶部的短鳍片使顶部具有良好的自然对流循环。纳米颗粒的体积分数的增加提高了熔融速率。与不良设计相比，最佳设计的熔化率高20％。