A Fast Optimization Algorithm for Fin Structure of Phase Change Thermal Storage

doi:10.12096/j.2096-4528.pgt.21056

Abstract

Abstract:

The phase change thermal storage technology has broad application prospects in the field of solar thermal power generation and the fins can effectively increase the charge and release rate of the phase change heat storage. However, the dynamic nonlinear characteristics of phase change heat storage seriously restrict the optimization of fin structures. Therefore, this paper proposed a fast optimization algorithm for optimizing the fin structure of the phase change heat storage. The algorithm takes the shortest distance from the phase change material to the fin and the cold source as the optimization objective, and uses the genetic algorithm to optimize the structure of fin. This method solves the time-consuming problem of traditional numerical optimization methods. The one-level Y-shaped fin in a shell and tube phase change heat storage was taken as an example. Under the premise of meeting a certain amount of fin material, the width ratio and length of each branch and the angle between branches of Y-shaped fin were selected as the design variables, and the influence of the number of fins was analyzed. The results show that the optimization objective proposed in this paper is feasible, and the optimized fin structure presents an arrow shape. Under the heat release conditions studied in this paper, compared with the traditional Y-shaped fins, the optimized fin structure can shorten the complete solidification time by 41.3%-62.1% when the number of fins is 1-3.

Key words: phase change theermal storage, solidification process, Y-shaped fin, structure optimization, genetic algorithm

CLC Number:

TK 76

Xiao CAI, Yang XU, Chao YANG, Zhangjing ZHENG. A Fast Optimization Algorithm for Fin Structure of Phase Change Thermal Storage[J]. Power Generation Technology, 2022, 43(1): 92-101.

Figures/Tables 18

Fig. 1 Physical model

Fig. 2 Grid independence verification

Fig. 3 Time step independence verification

Fig. 4 Model verification results

Fig. 5 Schematic diagram of minimum distance calculation

Fig. 6 Optimization program flow chart

Fig. 7 Optimization results of single-fin branch angle as a variable

Tab. 1 The optimized fin structure parameters

结构类型	L₀	L₁	W₀	W₁	δ	$η$
case0	0.979	0.656	0.040	0.039	0.960	0.745
case1	0.952	0.614	0.043	0.040	0.937	0.715

Tab. 1 The optimized fin structure parameters

结构类型	L₀	L₁	W₀	W₁	δ	$η$
case0	0.979	0.656	0.040	0.039	0.960	0.745
case1	0.952	0.614	0.043	0.040	0.937	0.715

Fig. 8 Schematic diagram of fin structure optimized under two constraints

Fig. 9 Effects of fins on solidification process under two optimized conditions

Fig. 10 Cloud images of liquid phase and temperature distributions at different times under two kinds of fin structures

Fig. 11 Distance between phase change material and fin and cold source in different finned shell and tube phase change heat storage

Fig. 12 Complete solidification time of finned shell and tube phase change heat storage with different structural parameters

Tab. 2 Optimized parameters of fin structure under different numbers

数量	L₀	L₁	W₀	W₁	δ	$η$
N=2	0.853	0.576	0.083	0.018	0.217	0.637
N=3	0.944	0.539	0.059	0.013	0.220	0.669

Tab. 2 Optimized parameters of fin structure under different numbers

数量	L₀	L₁	W₀	W₁	δ	$η$
N=2	0.853	0.576	0.083	0.018	0.217	0.637
N=3	0.944	0.539	0.059	0.013	0.220	0.669

Fig. 13 Schematic diagram of different number of fins after optimization

Fig. 14 Complete solidification time of heat storage with different number of fins

Fig. 15 Distance between phase change material and fin and cold source in different number and structures of fin heat reservoir

Fig. 16 Complete solidification time of finned heat reservoir with different number and structures

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