Similarity curve in a solidification process of a latent-heat energy-storage unit with longitudinally straight fins (effect of fin on the applicability of the similarity rule)

Journal Article · Sat Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1994 · Heat Transfer - Japanese Research; (United States)

OSTI ID:6920824

Kaino, Koji

The similarity rule states that a similarity curve representing the relationship between a similarity function and the frozen fraction is independent of the Biot number under four specified conditions, including uniform distribution of heat flux over the heat-transfer surface of a latent-heat storage unit. A storage unit with straight fins, which has the nature of losing such spatial uniformity of heat flux inherently, has been analyzed numerically. The effects of the thickness, thermal conductivity and the number of fins on the applicability of the similarity rule have been examined, following a previous investigation describing the effect of the heat-transfer tube. The results show that the relative difference between similarity curves for different Biot numbers is reduced with decreases in the thickness and/or thermal conductivity of the fin; that is, the similarity rule becomes more and more applicable with a reduction in the thermal conductance of the fin. The distributions of both temperatures, inside the storage unit and surface heat flux, have been shown for the purpose of discussing the results.

• OSTI ID: 6920824
• Journal Information: Heat Transfer - Japanese Research; (United States), Journal Name: Heat Transfer - Japanese Research; (United States) Vol. 23:1; ISSN 0096-0802; ISSN HTJPAU
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
420400* -- Engineering-- Heat Transfer & Fluid Flow
ENERGY STORAGE
EQUIPMENT
HEAT EXCHANGERS
HEAT STORAGE
LATENT HEAT STORAGE
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
SOLIDIFICATION
STORAGE
THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY
THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE EQUIPMENT
THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES