THERMAL PERFORMANCE OF A TAPERED STORE CONTAINING TUBES OF PHASE-CHANGE MATERIAL - COOLING CYCLE

The thermal performance of a tapered store, including constant cross-s ection phase change material (PCM) tubes, was investigated. Three diff erent air flow rates and four different air inlet temperatures were us ed in the tests. The PCM utilized was a mixture of sodium sulphate and sodium chloride salts, together with additives and gelling agent. The results showed that the cycle time was shortened as the air inlet tem perature was decreased. The same effect was obtained when the air flow rate was increased. An even temperature distribution was observed at the center position within the PCM along the tubes. This was a consequ ence of increasing the air velocity along the store. Heat transfer rat es along the store were found to be close to each other. The average e ffectiveness of the store was found to be around 44%. Copyright (C) 19 96 Elsevier Science Ltd