CFD Analysis of PCM-Based Thermal Energy Storage Systems for Cold Storage Applications– A Review

Author

Rajeev Kumar, Dr. Parag Mishra, Prof. Bhagwat Dwivedi

Abstract

 The increasing demand for energy-efficient thermal management systems has accelerated the application of Phase Change Materials (PCMs) in thermal energy storage (TES), particularly for cold-storage applications. This research presents a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis of a PCM-based thermal energy storage system for cold-storage applications. The study focuses on the numerical investigation of PCM charging and discharging behaviour under different thermal operating conditions. A three-dimensional computational model of the PCM storage system is developed, incorporating the PCM region, metallic storage container, and surrounding thermal environment. The transient phase-change process is simulated using the enthalpy–porosity method to predict temperature distribution, liquid fraction, phase-change progression, heat-transfer rate, and thermal energy storage characteristics. The effects of important parameters such as PCM quantity, melting temperature, thermal conductivity, boundary temperature, and storage configuration are investigated through parametric CFD simulations. The charging process is analysed by simulating heat removal from the PCM, resulting in solidification and cooling-energy storage, while the discharging process is analysed by applying heat to the PCM to simulate melting and release of the stored cooling energy.

Keywords

Phase Change Material (PCM); Thermal Energy Storage (TES); Cold Thermal Energy Storage (CTES); Computational Fluid Dynamics

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