Experimental investigation of thermal energy storage efficiency using fin application with phase change material (pcm) under solar radiation

In this paper, the energy storage behavior of the thermal energy storage unit (TESU) using phase change material (PCM) and copper fi ns under artifi cial solar radiation was analyzed experimentally. The experimental tests of the TESU were performed at three diff erent fi n numbers (n = 3, 5, and 7) and fi n thickness (t = 1, 1.5, and 2 mm) under variable solar radiations (q = 800, 900, and 1000 W/m2). The stored thermal energy of each TESU was calculated and compared with solar energy coming from a solar lamp. The highest thermal energy storage effi ciency was computed as 95.08% in Type-VIII (n = 7, t = 1 mm) TESU below 1000 W/m2 solar fl ux. The thermal energy storage effi ciency enhancement ratio (TESEER) was defi ned to understand the eff ects of n and t of the thermal energy storage effi ciency of TESUs. The highest TESEER was calculated as 1.68 in Type-VIII (n = 7, t = 1 mm) TESU below 1000 W/m2 solar radiation. In conclusion, the TESEER values were decreased with increasing fi n thickness, whereas its values were usually increased with the increase number of fi ns. © 2021 by Begell House, Inc.