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ORCID

https://orcid.org/0009-0000-8119-5724

Access Type

Open Access Thesis

Document Type

thesis

Embargo Period

2-1-2025

Degree Program

Mechanical Engineering

Degree Type

Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering (M.S.M.E.)

Year Degree Awarded

2024

Month Degree Awarded

February

Abstract

This thesis presents a research study on the performance evaluation of a latent heat thermal energy storage (LHTES) system incorporating fins. LHTES systems have gained significant attention due to their high energy density. However, their practical applications face challenges such as low thermal conductivity when combined with an organic phase-change material (PCM) and limited charging and discharging rates. To address these challenges, this study investigates the incorporation of a fin into the LHTES system to enhance heat transfer between the heat transfer fluid (HTF) and the storage medium (PCM). A comparative analysis is conducted between the LHTES system with a fin and the one without a fin, focusing on various discharging temperatures and multiple configurations. The obtained results shed light on the influence of the fin on crucial parameters, including heat transfer rate, liquid fraction and total energy stored. These findings offer valuable insights for the design and optimization of LHTES systems with fins, catering to diverse applications such as solar thermal power generation and waste heat recovery

First Advisor

Dragoljub Kosanovic

Second Advisor

Kedar Prashant Shete

Third Advisor

Stephen de Bruyn Kops

Fourth Advisor

Jon McGowan

Available for download on Saturday, February 01, 2025

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