Thermal analysis of U tube heat exchangers with latent heat storage

In this study, heat is stored using a phase change material (PCM) CaCl2.6H2O (calcium chloride hexahydrate) in heat exchangers especially used to utilize waste heat energy. A melting model of PCM was simulated using ANSYS FLUENT 17.2 (Student Version). The simulation was solved numerically with finite element methods and compared with experimental datas. In the experimental study, PCM was placed to the body of the u-tube heat exchanger and the melting process of PCM was observed by pumping water, 1.75 l/min flow rate and 60 °C temperature, to the heat exchanger . The temperature of the PCM was measured with thermocouples placed on vertical symmetry plane during the melting process. In the numerical study, PCM was melted while keeping the same parameters and at the same time the temperature of PCM were measured with the thermocouples, placed on the vertical symmetry plane and then compared with the experimental study. As a result of the comparision, about 4% error rate was calculated between the experimental study and the numerical study and it was seen that the results were compatible with each other.