Solidification process modeling for energy storage by means of galerkin method utilizing nano-sized additives
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: In this study, a numerical method for modeling the freezing process inside a storage enclosure equipped with ψ-shaped fins has been scrutinized. The container features both square and sinusoidal walls, with ψ-shaped fins enhancing the thermal conduction within the system. Alumina nanoparticles , in both blade and cylindrical forms, have been dispersed in the water to investigate the effect of particle shape on the freezing process. The shape factor ( m ) is considered in the calculation of conductivity to capture the impact of different nanoparticle geometries. Additionally, a single-phase model is used for the nanomaterial formulation, with nanoparticle concentrations ( φ ) kept below 0.04 to ensure accurate representation. The results reveal that increasing ( m ) leads to a reduction in solidification time by approximately 7 %. When nanoparticles are dispersed in water, the time required for complete freezing decreases from 275.57 s to 201.95 s, representing a significant improvement. This demonstrates that the presence of nanoparticles can accelerate the freezing process by about 26.71 %. By incorporating ψ-shaped fins and optimizing nanoparticle characteristics, the study provides valuable insights into enhancing thermal conduction and reducing freezing times.
Source: Results in Engineering
Institution: Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University
Language: English
Subfield: Mechanical Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,490
Award: G3587560197
OpenAlex ID: W4403353068