Hemlata Deolal
Department of Mechanical Engineering, DIT University, 248001, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India.

Prashant Raturi
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Swami Rama Himalayan University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India.

Sanjeev Kimothi
Department of Physics, Graphic Era (Deemed to be University), 248002, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India.

DOI https://doi.org/10.33889/PMSL.2026.5.2.023

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Abstract

Maintaining persistence thermal efficiency during charging of a Cold Thermal Energy Storage (CTES) system is challenging process. In this study CTES thermal efficiency has been examined with assimilation of packed bed mechanism in a cylindrical capsule filled with phase-change material (PCM). A Numerical model is employed with assimilation of energy balance and Heat Transfer Fluid equations. The Temperature of PCM, total energy stored, solidified mass fraction of the tank, effective mass flow rate and heat exchange processes are examined under various thermal stress conditions. The variables used are: processing time frame (0 to 13.5hr), mass fraction (1000kg/hr), Thermal conductivity of the capsule wall (kc = 0.15-2.5W/mK), Thermal conductivity of material used (ks = 2.22-3.2 W/mK), diameter of the capsules (dc = 7.7-10cm) and length of capsule (l = 1dc to 4dc). Flow rate, Heat Transfer, and diameter are simulated for the complete solidification time of material, energy stored in the tank and solidified mass fraction during the process. Furthermore, the effect of thermal conductivity of PCM and length of capsule is simulated with the energy storage and solidified mass fraction of the tank. It is observed that all the examined parameters affect the latent heat of storage system and enhanced the energy storage performance of proposed system. This proposed energy storage system will be helpful in conserving heat energy and utilizing as a substitute of electric energy in challenging environment.

Keywords- Thermal energy storage, Phase change material, Heat transfer, Thermal conductivity.

Citation

Deolal, H., Raturi, P., & Kimothi, S. (2026). Thermodynamically Simulating Cold Thermal Energy Storage (CTES) System with Encapsulation of Phase Change Material (PCM). Prabha Materials Science Letters, (2), 412-431. https://doi.org/10.33889/PMSL.2026.5.2.023.