Numerical Modeling And Study On The Process Heat Transfer Of An Encapsulated Ice-storage Air Conditioning System

Ice-storage air conditioning systems, which are often applied in regions where electricity is valued with different prices, are based on the refrigeration units producing cold in low demand of electricity, while ice-storage system melting phase-change materials to release cold energy in the peak price load. Thanks to this system, the quantity and the cost can be cut down to some extent. To improve this system and to make better use of energy, an ice-storage air conditioning having been put into operation is analyzed in this paper. One hand, the characters of the system are numerically modeled by software called ANSYS with the principle of finite element method analysis. Some ways to reduce freezing time and factors effecting PCM thaw have been found. The other hand, available-energy costing of every part of the system has been studied basis of second law analysis of thermal systems. It is concluded that the rate of heat transfer is influenced by wall thickness and structure of encapsulated ice storage, and inlet temperature and flux of refrigerant as well, while the structure of encapsulated ice storage taking first place among these factors. The energy loss from compressors and condensers almost take up the whole energy loss of this system. As temperature difference of heat transfer is decreased, performance of heat exchangers should be improved for controlling available-energy cost and increasing the efficient of the system.