Influence of Geometric Configurations of Fins and Absorber Plates on the Performance of Vacuum Tube Solar Collectors Integrated with Phase Change Materials: A Computational Fluid Dynamics Approach

Articles in Press

Document Type : Full Length Research Article

Authors

1 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Ph.D Candidete of Mechanical Engineering, Vali-e-Asr University of Rafsanjan, Rafsanjan, Iran

2 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Vali-e-Asr University of Rafsanjan, Rafsanjan, Iran

Abstract

Enhancing the thermal efficiency of solar systems, particularly vacuum tube collectors, is crucial in addressing challenges related to energy storage and fluctuations in solar radiation. The incorporation of phase change materials (PCMs) into these collectors provides an effective means of thermal energy storage. However, the inherently low thermal conductivity of PCMs limits heat transfer, thereby reducing their overall effectiveness. To overcome this constraint, optimizing the geometry of fins and absorber plates has been shown to markedly improve the uniform melting of PCMs.



In this study, four innovative configurations of a vacuum tube solar collector incorporating fins, an absorber plate, and PCM were developed and analyzed. The investigation focused on the influence of fin and absorber plate geometries on the PCM melting behavior under identical boundary conditions, PCM type, and fin arrangements. The melting process was first evaluated over a 15-second interval, during which the fourth configuration achieved the highest melting rate, with a PCM liquid mass fraction of 0.286. This superior performance was further confirmed over an extended period of 80 seconds, where the same configuration consistently exhibited the most rapid melting.



The novelty of this work lies in the synergistic integration of fins, absorber plates, and PCMs, combined with the strategic placement of fins, partial filling of the collector with PCM, and the introduction of a uniquely designed absorber plate. These design innovations collectively distinguish the present study from previous research and highlight the potential of advanced geometric optimization to enhance the performance of solar thermal energy storage systems.

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Main Subjects

Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer Research

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 29 November 2025

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History

  • Receive Date: 30 July 2025
  • Revise Date: 07 October 2025
  • Accept Date: 29 November 2025

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