Heat transfer enhancement of phase change materials using tree shaped fins: A comprehensive review

Abstract

The efficiency of thermal energy storage is essential in phase change material (PCM) systems. Many traditional configurations of fins, such as radial, rectangular, and pin fins, have yet to be found lacking in how they facilitate heat transfer at charging and discharging processes, causing more extended phase change periods and decreasing the entire system's efficiency. This review seeks to fill the gap in thermal performance improvement and categorizes the existing literature related to melting, solidification, and a combination of both melting and solidification processes. Scientific research carried out in the melting section shows that tree-shaped fins have the potential to cut down melting time by 60 % compared to conventional fins and thereby significantly improve the ability to store energy. The solidification section highlights that such revolutionary fin configurations can reduce solidification time by 30 to 50 %, thus improving the system's performance. Additionally, the synchronized analysis of the trees proves that while the tree fins enhance the distribution of heat all over the trees, they also enhance the natural convection, improving the uniformity of temperatures and the effectiveness of phase change. The outcomes reveal that even though tree-shaped fins are capital-intensive, their low operating costs and higher efficiency leverage initial costs. Incorporating tree-shaped fins in the PCM system is a novel step in enhancing thermal energy storage systems with significant enhancement of solidification and melting in thermal management applications, which are crucial challenges to energy efficiency and sustainability.