Article
Energy & Fuels
R. A. Nicholls, M. A. Moghimi, A. L. Griffiths
Summary: This study investigates the impact of fin type and orientation on the charging and discharging processes of a horizontal concentric filled with phase change material. The results show that the performance is significantly improved with the use of transversal corrugated fin design. The melting process is mainly influenced by natural convection, while conduction is the main mode of heat transfer in the solidification process. The transversal corrugated fin design outperforms other cases in terms of melting time reduction, and the overall processing time is significantly shorter.
JOURNAL OF ENERGY STORAGE
(2022)
Review
Energy & Fuels
Thiago Torres Martins Rocha, Paulo Vinicius Trevizoli, Raphael Nunes de Oliveira
Summary: Latent thermal energy storage, utilizing phase-change materials, has been extensively studied in various areas including solar energy and refrigeration. This review critically discusses theoretical studies categorized in a wide range of subjects, analyzing intensification techniques and numerical methods. The review also tracks the origins of different topics over the years to identify incremental and disruptive contributions.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Ming Zhu, Wenguang Nan, Yueshe Wang
Summary: In this study, the latent heat storage system using high-temperature phase change material (H-PCM) and supercritical CO2 (S-CO2) was analyzed using CFD simulation. The results showed that natural convection has a significant influence on the melting process of the H-PCM in the charging process, while it has little effect on the energy release during the discharging process.
Review
Energy & Fuels
Kin Yuen Leong, Syafawati Hasbi, Balamurugan A. Gurunathan
Summary: Phase change materials (PCMs) are used for storing thermal energy due to their high latent heat and low thermal conductivity. This review discusses factors affecting solidification and melting of PCM in a triplex-tube heat exchanger, including flow rate, temperature, fins, position, heating and cooling, etc. It is found that using fins and nanoparticles in the triplex tube can enhance solidification and melting of PCM.
JOURNAL OF ENERGY STORAGE
(2021)
Article
Thermodynamics
Ankur Jain, Mohammad Parhizi
Summary: This paper presents a theoretical analysis of phase change heat transfer in a spherical PCM with an encapsulant layer, considering the effect of thermal contact resistance. The results show that the model accurately describes the phase change heat transfer process and agrees well with numerical simulations. The study analyzes the influence of encapsulant thickness, thermal properties, and thermal contact resistance on phase change propagation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEAT AND MASS TRANSFER
(2022)
Article
Thermodynamics
Bingkun Huang, Shimi Yang, Enyi Hu, Xiuxiu Li, Jun Wang, Peter Lund
Summary: This paper establishes a mathematical model to explain the melting process of PCM affected by natural convection, introducing a coordination factor Co to explain the melting process. The study finds that Co is closely related to the melting rate, promoting the melting rate when Co is greater than 0. The research provides theoretical guidance for enhancing phase change heat storage.
CASE STUDIES IN THERMAL ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Burak Kursun, Mehmet Balta
Summary: Phase change materials (PCMs) are preferred for latent heat storage due to their high energy storage densities and low energy losses. The low thermal conductivity coefficients of PCMs hinder their commercialization and broader applications. Double-pipe energy storage (DPTES) with PCM is suitable for cases where there is a mismatch between the generation and consumption times of thermal energy from sources like solar energy. This study investigates the effects of different inner and outer channel combinations on melting and solidification performance.
JOURNAL OF ENERGY STORAGE
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Bingkun Huang, Shimi Yang, Xiuxiu Li, Jun Wang, Peter D. Lund
Summary: Phase change materials (PCMs) are effective for thermal energy storage and supply-demand balance. Numerical analyses were performed to improve the melting-solidification process in PCMs using a 2-D cavity with two heat sources and wavy sinusoidal fins. The influence of different fin arrangements was analyzed.
JOURNAL OF ENERGY STORAGE
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Medhat M. Sorour, Mohamed A. Hassab, Mostafa M. Zaytoun, Mohamed A. Alnakeeb
Summary: This study investigates the melting process of PCM in a double-pipe latent heat storage unit at different inclinations. The optimal inclination angle is found to be 45 degrees for thick PCM thickness, while the horizontal orientation is most suitable for thin PCM thickness according to experimental and numerical results.
JOURNAL OF ENERGY STORAGE
(2021)
Article
Thermodynamics
Takashi Morimoto, Hiroyuki Kumano
Summary: PCM emulsions (PCMEs) with high fluidity and thermal energy storage density have attracted attention for their potential use in thermal energy storage and transport. This study experimentally investigated the natural convection and heat transfer characteristics of PCMEs in a rectangular vessel. Multiple convection layers were observed in PCMEs due to the phase change of PCM particles. The aspect ratio of the vessel did not affect the formation of multiple convection layers. Heat transfer was promoted in PCMEs when accompanied by a PCM particle phase change, and the effect was most remarkable when the aspect ratio was 3.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEAT AND MASS TRANSFER
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Mehdi Ghalambaz, S. A. M. Mehryan, Sayed Reza Ramezani, Ahmad Hajjar, Mohamad El Kadri, Mohamamd S. Islam, Obai Younis, Maryam Ghodrat
Summary: A metallic foam heat dissipator loaded with paraffin wax is proposed for cooling electronic components. The heat flux at the surface includes a uniform flux and a step transient raise, which can be managed by a heat dissipator and Phase Change Material (PCM). The governing equations for heat and momentum transport in the heat dissipator are solved using the Finite Element Method, with mesh adjustment and automated time-step control to ensure accuracy and convergence. The dimensionless temperature of fusion is a crucial factor in controlling surface temperature and heat dissipator efficiency. Using a PCM heat sink reduces the heated surface temperature by over 175% during pulse load.
JOURNAL OF ENERGY STORAGE
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Nishant Modi, Xiaolin Wang, Michael Negnevitsky, Feng Cao
Summary: This study analyzed the effect of fin geometry on the thermal performance of longitudinally finned-tube horizontal latent heat thermal energy storage systems. It was found that incorporating a small quantity of longitudinal fins can significantly reduce complete melting time. Additionally, the study recommended that the fin height should not exceed half of the annulus gap and concluded that long fins were superior to short fins in terms of melting characteristics.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Wenwen Ye, J. M. Khodadadi
Summary: A numerical investigation was conducted to analyze the melting characteristics of phase change materials (PCM) in a horizontal shell-and-tube latent heat thermal energy storage (LHTES) system with novel arrow-shape longitudinal fins. The study revealed that increasing the fin angle improved the melting rate of PCM, while reducing the fin length ratio enhanced natural convection and heat transfer efficiency.
JOURNAL OF ENERGY STORAGE
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Fei Liu, Guanmin Zhang
Summary: A new fin structure is proposed to improve the heat transfer characteristics of the triple-tube latent heat storage system. Numerical calculations and a melting/solidification model are used to analyze the effects of the new fins on the PCM process. The results show that the new fins significantly reduce the melting and solidification time, improving the overall heat storage and release rate.
JOURNAL OF ENERGY STORAGE
(2023)
Article
Thermodynamics
Hao Liu, Nan Zhang, Zhaoli Zhang, Qiuyi Xia, Yanping Yuan, Xiaoling Cao
Summary: This paper studied the convection-driven melting characteristics of pure phase change material (PCM) under different external force conditions. The results show that external forces have a significant effect on the natural convection of PCM during the melting process and further affect the solid-liquid interface evolution rate, heat transfer rate, and latent heat storage. Applying external force in the opposite direction of the heat flux can enhance the melting process and improve the latent heat storage rate of PCM.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEAT AND MASS TRANSFER
(2022)
Article
Thermodynamics
Anci Wang, Feng Cao, Fan Jia, Yuxuan Liu, Xiang Yin, Yulong Song, Xiaolin Wang
Summary: Passenger comfort is prioritized over heating performance in electric vehicle heat pumps. Frost formation reduces heat exchange performance and heating capacity. A study revealed the dynamic characteristics of an electric vehicle CO2 heat pump under constant heating capacity operation, which differed significantly from those under constant compressor speed operation. A new defrosting initiation criterion based on the dynamic characteristics was proposed and its reliability was verified. The heat pump with the new criterion outperformed the traditional PTC auxiliary heating method under various environmental conditions.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF REFRIGERATION
(2023)
Review
Thermodynamics
Gang Zhao, Xiaolin Wang, Michael Negnevitsky, Chengjiang Li
Summary: This paper reviews the effectiveness and efficiency of the liquid-cooling battery thermal management system (BTMS) for electric vehicles. It highlights the recent research on design improvements and optimization for the liquid-cooling BTMSs, emphasizing the most effective approaches to better cooling performance. The paper also discusses the current gaps and future directions in the research of liquid-cooling BTMS designs for the EV industry.
APPLIED THERMAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Thermodynamics
Chengjiang Li, Tingwen Jia, Honglei Wang, Xiaolin Wang, Michael Negnevitsky, Yu-jie Hu, Gang Zhao, Liang Wang
Summary: China has been accelerating the development of methanol vehicles since the early 2010s to ensure energy supply and reduce environmental pollution. This study compared green methanol vehicles with other vehicles in terms of energy, environment, and economy. The evaluation results show that biomethanol vehicles rank first, while the potential of CO2-to-methanol vehicles is limited. Based on the findings, the government should scale up the deployment of biomethanol vehicles and consider developing CO2-to-methanol vehicles after achieving carbon neutrality.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Anci Wang, Xiang Yin, Fan Jia, Feng Cao, Yuxuan Liu, Xiaolin Wang
Summary: This study focuses on improving the driving range of electric vehicles (EVs) by using CO2 heat pumps instead of PTC heaters. The research found that frost might lead to a rapid decrease in driving range. To address this issue, a new global performance improvement control method was proposed, which could enhance the driving range by up to 10%. It is recommended to implement this method in regions with low temperatures and high humidity.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Thermodynamics
Xiaoling Yu, Youbo Tan, Haotian Wang, Xiaolin Wang, Ying Zang, Penghong Guo
Summary: Thermal analyses and optimizations on transformer winding usually assume uniform heat losses, but in reality winding heat losses are distributed unevenly. Considering non-uniform loss distribution is necessary to improve the safety margin and reliability of the transformer.
APPLIED THERMAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Thermodynamics
Xiaobin Xu, JiaJun Zhu, Hengyun Zhang, Zhaozang Yi, Xiaolin Wang, Gang Zhao
Summary: This study introduces a cylindrical 18650 battery module with an external sleeved spreader plate (SHSP) for integrated heating and cooling functions. The temperature characteristics of the battery module were experimentally investigated in both cooling mode and heating mode. Results show that the temperature rise and temperature difference in cooling mode are only 12.9°C and 2.83°C, respectively. In heating mode, the continuous heating protocol achieves a heating rate of 6.98°C/min with a heating efficiency of 69.8%. This proposed method provides a low-cost, highly efficient design solution for battery modules.
APPLIED THERMAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Lanbo Lai, Xiaolin Wang, Gholamreza Kefayati, Eric Hu
Summary: A new configuration of a solid desiccant evaporative cooling system integrated with a humidification-dehumidification desalination unit was proposed and its performance was evaluated. Two operation modes were proposed depending on climate conditions, and the system was evaluated under various operating conditions. The findings indicated that the proposed system had good potential for producing freshwater and cooling simultaneously.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Nishant Modi, Xiaolin Wang, Michael Negnevitsky
Summary: Domestic water heating accounts for a considerable portion of energy consumption in Australian buildings. The use of latent heat thermal energy storage (LHTES) system in solar water heating has been widely investigated as a way to reduce fossil fuel consumption and increase renewable energy usage. However, recent research has focused mainly on optimizing the LHTES heat exchanger geometry, which may not be sufficient for commercialization. This perspective paper discusses various solar hot water systems using LHTES, emphasizing on-demand performance studies and structure optimization for faster commercialization, while also addressing future challenges.
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Chengjiang Li, Tingwen Jia, Shiyuan Wang, Xiaolin Wang, Michael Negnevitsky, Honglei Wang, Yujie Hu, Weibin Xu, Na Zhou, Gang Zhao
Summary: Mature methanol vehicle technology has the potential to mitigate oil dependency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Pilot projects in China have shown positive economic and environmental effects. This study reviewed previous developments and policies to determine the feasibility of deploying methanol vehicles. Dynamic policy recommendations were made, including prioritizing coal-to-methanol and bio-methanol vehicles for economic benefits and advancing CO2-to-methanol technology for carbon neutrality.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Lanbo Lai, Xiaolin Wang, Gholamreza Kefayati, Eric Hu
Summary: In this paper, the performance of a hybrid system combining a solid desiccant-based M-cycle cooling system with a humidification-dehumidification desalination unit was analyzed and compared in three modes. The recirculation mode showed better cooling performance, producing up to 7.91 kW of cooling load and maintaining a low air temperature and humidity under various conditions. All three modes had similar water production rates, but the recirculation mode had a higher coefficient of performance. However, this mode also had higher water consumption.
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Ehsanolah Assareh, Ali Dejdar, Ali Ershadi, Masoud Jafarian, Mohammadhossein Mansouri, Amir Salek Roshani, Ehsan Azish, Ehsan Saedpanah, Mona Aghajari, Xiaolin Wang
Summary: In this study, the energy and economic performance of a solar-assisted-geothermal combined cooling, heating, and power system (SG-CCHP) were evaluated using the response surface method (RSM) and transient assessment. The system included steam turbines, PV/T collectors, a fuel cell circuit, an absorption chiller, a heat pump, battery cells, and a hydrogen storage container. The optimal arrangement of the system was determined using the design of experiments (DOE) approach, and the outcomes were analyzed using RSM. The results showed significant improvements in life cycle costs, thermal comfort score, total power usage, and auxiliary boiler natural gas usage after optimization.
JOURNAL OF BUILDING ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Thermodynamics
Nishant Modi, Xiaolin Wang, Michael Negnevitsky
Summary: Longitudinal fins are an economical and effective way to improve the thermal characteristics of latent heat thermal energy storage systems. Experimental studies revealed that angular position had a significant impact on the charging process, while it had minimal effect on discharging. The optimal fin height for the melting process was found to be 65% of the annulus, and perforation slightly improved thermal performance. Smaller hole diameters were recommended for the same fin volume, as they reduced pre-melting time compared to solid fins.
Article
Energy & Fuels
A. G. M. B. Mustayen, M. G. Rasul, X. Wang, M. A. Hazrat, M. J. Islam, M. Negnevitsky
Summary: The increasing use of plastic has led to a challenge in disposing of waste plastic and minimizing its negative environmental impact. This study evaluated the performance and emissions of a diesel engine using plastic-made diesel (PMD) produced from pyrolytic crude oil. The results showed that PMD has a higher engine performance and lower emissions compared to ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD).
JOURNAL OF THE ENERGY INSTITUTE
(2023)
Article
Thermodynamics
Junjie Shen, Xing Chen, Xiaobin Xu, Jizhou Kong, Zebing Song, Xiaolin Wang, Fei Zhou
Summary: This paper presents a novel hybrid cooling plate integrated with liquid microchannels and phase change material (PCM) for battery thermal management system (BTMS) in electric vehicles. The optimized design parameters resulted in reduced energy consumption and increased energy density while achieving a balance between cooling performance and energy consumption. The hybrid cooling plate improves temperature uniformity of the battery and slows heat loss in cold environments.
APPLIED THERMAL ENGINEERING
(2024)
Article
Thermodynamics
Kayla Kev, Nishant Modi, Dia Milani, Minh Tri Luu, Scott Nelson, Norhuda Abdul Manaf, Xiaolin Wang, Michael Negnevitsky, Ali Abbas
Summary: This study compares the life cycle assessment of conventional post-combustion carbon capture (PCC), solar-assisted PCC, and a novel concept of solar-powered PCC. The results show that the solar-powered PCC has the lowest global warming potential and highest CO2 abatement, making it advantageous for retrofitting into existing coal-fired power plants or industrial plants to mitigate global warming.
ENERGY CONVERSION AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Thermodynamics
Hai Zhao, Puzhen Gao, Xiaochang Li, Ruifeng Tian, Hongyang Wei, Sichao Tan
Summary: This study numerically investigates the interaction between flow-induced vibration and forced convection heat transfer in a tube bundle. The results show that the impact of flow-induced vibration on heat transfer varies in different flow velocity regions.
APPLIED THERMAL ENGINEERING
(2024)
Article
Thermodynamics
Rohit Chintala, Jon Winkler, Sugirdhalakshmi Ramaraj, Xin Jin
Summary: The current state of fault detection and diagnosis for residential air-conditioning systems is expensive and not suitable for widespread implementation. This paper proposes a cost-effective solution by introducing an automated fault detection algorithm as a screening step before more expensive tests can be conducted. The algorithm uses home thermostats and local weather information to identify thermodynamic parameters and detect high-impact air-conditioning faults.
APPLIED THERMAL ENGINEERING
(2024)
Article
Thermodynamics
A. Azimi, N. Basiri, M. Eslami
Summary: This paper presents a novel optimization algorithm for improving the water-film cooling system of photovoltaic panels, resulting in a significant increase in net energy generation.
APPLIED THERMAL ENGINEERING
(2024)
Article
Thermodynamics
Duc-Thuan Phung, Chin-Hsiang Cheng
Summary: In this study, a novel CFDMD model is used to analyze and investigate the behavior of thermal-lag engines (TLE). The study shows that the CFDMD model effectively captures the thermodynamic behavior of the working gas and the dynamic behavior of the engine mechanism. Additionally, the study explores the temporal evolution of engine speed and the influence of various parameters on shaft power and brake thermal efficiency. The research also reveals the existence of a thermal-lag phenomenon in TLE.
APPLIED THERMAL ENGINEERING
(2024)
Article
Thermodynamics
Haiying Yang, Yinjie Shen, Lin Li, Yichen Pan, Ping Yang
Summary: The purpose of this article is to find a measure to improve the interfacial thermal transfer of graphene/silicon heterojunction. Through molecular dynamics simulation, it is found that surface modification can significantly reduce the thermal resistance, thereby improving the thermal conductivity of the graphene/silicon interface.
APPLIED THERMAL ENGINEERING
(2024)
Article
Thermodynamics
Qiong Wu, Yancheng Wang, Haonan Zhou, Xingye Qiu, Deqing Mei
Summary: This article introduces a visible methanol steam reforming microreactor, which uses an optical crystal as an observation window and measures the reaction temperature in real-time using infrared thermography. The results show that under lower oxygen to carbon ratio conditions, the microreactor has a higher heating rate and a stable gradient in temperature distribution.
APPLIED THERMAL ENGINEERING
(2024)
Review
Thermodynamics
Giulia Manco, Umberto Tesio, Elisa Guelpa, Vittorio Verda
Summary: In the past decade, there has been a growing interest in studying energy systems for the combined management of power vectors. Most of the published works focus on finding the optimal design and operations of Multi Energy Systems (MES). However, for newcomers to this field, understanding how to achieve the desired optimization details while controlling computational expenses can be challenging and time-consuming. This paper presents a novel approach to analyzing the existing literature on MES, with the aim of guiding practical development of MES optimization. Through the discussion of six case studies, the authors provide a mathematical formulation as a reference for building the model and emphasize the impact of different aspects on the problem nature and solver selection. In addition, the paper also discusses the different approaches used in the literature for incorporating thermal networks and storage in the optimization of multi-energy systems.
APPLIED THERMAL ENGINEERING
(2024)
Article
Thermodynamics
Xuepeng Yuan, Caiman Yan, Yunxian Huang, Yong Tang, Shiwei Zhang, Gong Chen
Summary: In this study, a multi-scale microgroove wick (MSMGW) was developed by laser irradiation, which demonstrated superior capillary performance. The surface morphology and performance of the wick were affected by laser scan pitch, laser power, repetition frequency, and scanning speed. The MSMGW showed optimal capillary performance in alumina material and DI water as the working fluid.
APPLIED THERMAL ENGINEERING
(2024)
Article
Thermodynamics
Maofei Mei, Feng Hu, Chong Han
Summary: This paper proposes an effective local search method based on detection of droplet boundaries for understanding the dynamic process of droplet growth during dropwise condensation. The method is validated by comparing with experimental data. The present simulation provides an effective approach to more accurately predict the nucleation site density in future studies.
APPLIED THERMAL ENGINEERING
(2024)
Article
Thermodynamics
Rahul Kumar Sharma, Ashish Kumar, Dibakar Rakshit
Summary: The study explores the use of phase change materials (PCM) as a retrofit with Heating Ventilation and Air-conditioning systems (HVAC) to reduce energy consumption and improve air quality. By incorporating PCM with specific thickness and fin configurations, significant energy savings can be achieved in comparison to standard HVAC systems utilizing R134a. This research provides policymakers with energy-efficient and sustainable solutions for HVAC systems to combat climate change.
APPLIED THERMAL ENGINEERING
(2024)
Article
Thermodynamics
Zhenhua Ren, Xiangjin Meng, Xingang Qi, Hui Jin, Yunan Chen, Bin Chen, Liejin Guo
Summary: This paper investigates the heat transfer mechanism and factors influencing thermal radiation in the process of supercritical water gasification (SCWG) of coal, and proposes a comprehensive numerical model to simulate the process. Experimental validation results show that thermal radiation accounts for a significant proportion of the total heat exchange in the reactor and a large amount of radiant energy exists in the important spectral range of supercritical water. Enhancing radiative heat transfer can effectively increase the temperature of the reaction medium and the gasification rate.
APPLIED THERMAL ENGINEERING
(2024)
Article
Thermodynamics
Mauro Abela, Mauro Mameli, Sauro Filippeschi, Brent S. Taft
Summary: Pulsating Heat Pipes (PHP) are passive two-phase heat transfer devices with a simple structure and high heat transfer capabilities. The actual unpredictability of their dynamic behavior during startup and thermal crisis hinders their large-scale application. An experimental apparatus is designed to investigate these phenomena systematically. The results show that increasing the number of evaporator sections and condenser temperature improves the performance of PHP. The condenser temperature also affects the initial liquid phase distribution and startup time.
APPLIED THERMAL ENGINEERING
(2024)
Article
Thermodynamics
Ke Gan, Ruilian Li, Yi Zheng, Hui Xu, Ying Gao, Jiajie Qian, Ziming Wei, Bin Kong, Hong Zhang
Summary: A 3-dimensional enhanced heat pipe radiator has been developed to improve heat dissipation and temperature uniformity in cooling high-power electronic components. Experimental results show that the radiator has superior heat transfer performance compared to a conventional aluminum fin radiator under different heating powers and wind speed conditions.
APPLIED THERMAL ENGINEERING
(2024)
Article
Thermodynamics
Xinyi Zhang, Shuzhong Wang, Daihui Jiang, Zhiqiang Wu
Summary: This study focuses on recovering waste heat from blast furnace slag using dry centrifugal pelletizing technology. A comprehensive two-dimensional model was developed to analyze heat transfer dynamics and investigate factors influencing heat exchange efficiency. The findings have important implications for optimizing waste heat recovery and ensuring safe operations.
APPLIED THERMAL ENGINEERING
(2024)
Article
Thermodynamics
Xincheng Wu, An Zou, Qiang Zhang, Zhaoguang Wang
Summary: The boosting heat generation rate of high-performance processors is challenging traditional cooling techniques. This study proposes a combined design of active jet intermittency and passive surface modification to enhance heat transfer.
APPLIED THERMAL ENGINEERING
(2024)