Application of a Numerical Model for the Multicomponent Alloy Solidification to a Phase Change Material Applied in Latent Heat Thermal Energy Storage

The search for environmentally friendly energy management systems has become fundamental regarding the growing use of fossil fuel by the energy sector and its impacts on the environment. In this sense, latent heat thermal energy storage (LHTES) is a promising technology for recovering, storing, and subsequently using the heat generated from renewable sources, which in turn can make industrial facilities more efficient and reduce CO2 emissions. The proposed numerical model aims to provide auxiliary tools for the design of thermal reservoirs by considering the kinetics and controlling parameters of phase transformations to better equate supply and demand. A medium temperature PCM ~900K and a previously developed numerical model are carried out to simulate the solidification process of Al-Cu-Mg-Fe alloys. The numerical model is coupled with theoretical SDAS predictions, enabling this model to be applied to investigate different heat extraction scenarios, considering a wide range of Biot and Fourier numbers.