Theoretical modelling and experimental investigation of a thermal energy storage refrigerator
Theoretical modelling and experimental investigation of a thermal energy storage refrigerator
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DOI：
10.1016/j.energy.2013.03.091
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发表时间：
2013-06
期刊：
影响因子：
9
通讯作者：
A. C. Marques;G. Davies;J. Evans;G. Maidment;I. D. Wood
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
A. C. Marques;G. Davies;J. Evans;G. Maidment;I. D. Wood
利用计算流体力学软件ANSYS Fluent对自然对流蓄能冰箱内的气流和温度分布进行了数值模拟。该模型比较了家用冰箱的温度稳定性与不同的相变材料（PCM）纳入存储室。研究的方案包括PCM方向（垂直或水平），PCM温度（使用水或共晶）和隔间设计（传统或抽屉式电器）。结果表明，水平的PCM配置产生较低的车厢温度比垂直配置。实验测试了水平PCM的温度分布，结果与CFD预测一致。模拟和实验结果都表明，必须采用相变温度低于0 °C的共晶，以将隔室温度保持在可接受的范围内。该模型表明，在一个全高的隔间中组合水平和垂直PCM或将同一隔间分成两个抽屉，每个抽屉具有水平PCM配置，是家用蓄热冰箱的可行设计方案。
Numerical simulations using the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software ANSYS Fluent were undertaken to characterize the airflow and temperature distribution in a natural convection thermal energy storage refrigerator. The model compared the household refrigerator temperature stability with different phase change materials (PCM) incorporated into the storage compartment. Scenarios investigated included the PCM orientation (vertical or horizontal), PCM temperature (use of water or eutectics) and compartment designs (conventional or drawer type appliance). The results suggested that a horizontal PCM configuration produces lower compartment temperatures than a vertical configuration. The temperature distribution with a horizontal PCM was tested experimentally and the results were in agreement with the CFD predictions. Both the simulation and the experimental results suggest that a eutectic with a phase change temperature below 0 °C must be employed to maintain the compartment temperature within acceptable limits. The model indicated that combining horizontal and vertical PCMs in a full height compartment or dividing the same compartment into two drawers with a horizontal PCM configuration for each drawer are feasible design options for the household thermal storage refrigerator.