STUDY OF SOLIDIFICATION CHARACTERISTICS IN A METALLIC SPHERICAL CAPSULE USING EXTENDED SURFACES

This article reports the results of an experimental study on the freezing characteristics of PCM contained in a stainless steel spherical capsule with two and four fins of fin material of Stainless Steel with a fill volume of 90%. A suitable Phase Change Material, distilled water is used for efficient functioning of the Latent Heat Energy Storage Systems (LHTES). The effect of fins on the the solidification time has been studied at different HTF temperatures -6º C, -9º C and -12º C. The effect of sub cooling is also studied with the usage of two or four fins in the stainless steel capsule. The experimental results indicated that there was a considerable reduction in the solidification time ranging from 3% to 33.3% with the help of two extended surfaces at different HTF temperatures -6º C, -9º C and -12º C. But with the four fins in the metallic capsule, the solidification time increased at various HTF temperatures. In case of four SS fins spherical encapsulation the solidification time increased in the range from 8% to 14.5%.