Thermal performance and fluid flow analysis of nano-encapsulated phase change materials in shell and tube heat exchanger applications

The growing demand for energy-efficient thermal systems motivates this study, which investigates the potential of nano-encapsulated phase change materials (NEPCMs) to enhance the performance of shell and tube heat exchangers. This research is significant for advancing energy storage technologies and improving heat transfer efficiency in industrial and renewable energy applications. The investigation employs a three-dimensional, steady-state fluid flow model, utilizing a semi-cylindrical tube section to account for the problem's symmetrical characteristics. The simulation aims to evaluate the thermal performance enhancement achieved through the use of NEPCMs in the heat exchanger design. The inlet flow in the shell is assumed to be saturated steam, while the inlet flow in the tube is water-NEPCM nanofluid. The OpenFOAM package and finite volume solver are implemented to solve the governing equations, with a particular emphasis on energy analysis and the temperature and fluid flow contours. The results demonstrate significant improvements in heat transfer efficiency attributable to the incorporation of NEPCMs, highlighting their potential for optimizing heat exchanger performance. The results reveal that the usage of NEPCMs can improve the energy storage capacity by up to 16 % and enhance the output temperature of the heat exchanger by up to 7 K. • Three-dimensional and steady-state fluid flow and energy equations are simulated. • Impacts of NEPCMs on the thermal performance of shell and tube heat exchangers. • The incorporation of NEPCMs can enhance energy storage capacity by up to 16 % . • In the presence of nanocapsules, the heat exchanger's output temperature can enhance by 7 K.