Maximizing thermal response in latent heat thermal energy storage systems: A comprehensive study of wavy fin configuration and distribution

This study explores the augmentation of melting and solidification of phase change materials (PCMs) in thermal energy storage (TES) systems through strategic implementation of wavy fins. Employing computational fluid dynamics simulations, the study have analyzed the impacts of fin number, thickness, and placement on PCM phase change dynamics. The key findings reveal that the optimal wavy fin configuration (60° angled fins) achieved a 464 % increase in melting rate and 83 % decrease in melting time compared to the no-fin case. Increasing fin number from 3 to 5 improved the melting rate by 173.5 % and reduced melting time by 63.7 %. Shorter, thicker fins (0.5× wavelength) outperformed standard length fins by 5.5 % in terms of melting rate. For solidification, the optimal wavy fin design achieved 100 % solidification within 10,000 s, while the no-fin case reached only 93 % solidification. These results demonstrate that strategic implementation of wavy fins can significantly enhance both melting and solidification processes in PCM thermal storage, leading to substantial improvements in overall system efficiency and energy management capabilities.