Charging an inclined PCM storage exposed to time-varying solar radiation: Latent heat thermal energy storage

This study utilizes Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to investigate the influence of inclination angles and Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube (MWCNT) concentration on the charging time of an inclined enclosure filled with a Nano-enhanced Phase Change Material (NPCM) and charged using solar radiation for thermal energy storage (TES). The research considers the time-dependent nature of solar heat flux and incorporates the effects of environmental wind. The main objective is to gain insights into how varying the inclination angles and MWCNT concentration impact the charging time, a crucial parameter for assessing TES efficiency. By employing CFD simulations, the study examines temperature distribution, heat transfer characteristics, and overall thermal performance within the inclined enclosure under time-varying solar heat flux and heat loss due to environmental wind conditions. The findings offer valuable information on the optimal configurations of inclination angles and MWCNT concentration that minimize charging time and enhance TES efficiency. The results demonstrate that the addition of a 3 % MWCNT volume fraction increases the average liquid phase from 74.9 % to 85.4 %. Additionally, inclining the chamber from 0 to 90° increases the average liquid phase from 43.4 % to 74.9 %.