Comparison of Triple-Tube Heat Exchanger and Spherical Ice Balls for Energy Storage Performance: A Numerical Study
Ice energy storage systems have gained significant attention as sustainable solutions for energy management, particularly in applications with fluctuating energy demands. This study aims to compare two different designs, a triple-tube heat exchanger (TTHE) and spherical ice balls, the latter being t...
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MDPI AG
2025-08-01
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| author | Gülşah Karaca Dolgun |
| author_facet | Gülşah Karaca Dolgun |
| author_sort | Gülşah Karaca Dolgun |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Ice energy storage systems have gained significant attention as sustainable solutions for energy management, particularly in applications with fluctuating energy demands. This study aims to compare two different designs, a triple-tube heat exchanger (TTHE) and spherical ice balls, the latter being the most widely used traditional design in the industry. The TTHE design was first analyzed theoretically, then optimized using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations, and validated by the literature. Finally, it was compared with spherical ice balls under identical conditions. The analyses were conducted for an ice storage volume of 1000 kg, with the complete solidification process designed to occur within 8 h. The results indicate that the TTHE reduced solidification time by 25% while simultaneously increasing energy storage by 8%. This study contributes to the advancement of sustainable energy technologies by providing a comparative analysis of spherical ice balls and triple-tube heat exchangers for optimizing ice storage systems. The implementation of a TTHE for thermal storage can lower energy costs, mitigate peak demand, and address the intermittency challenges associated with renewable energy sources. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-df60d0eece4542d4a7aff89639794bd1 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1996-1073 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Energies |
| spelling | doaj-art-df60d0eece4542d4a7aff89639794bd12025-08-20T03:02:58ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732025-08-011815419910.3390/en18154199Comparison of Triple-Tube Heat Exchanger and Spherical Ice Balls for Energy Storage Performance: A Numerical StudyGülşah Karaca Dolgun0Department of Energy Systems Engineering, Technology Faculty, Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University, Kötekli, 48000 Menteşe, TürkiyeIce energy storage systems have gained significant attention as sustainable solutions for energy management, particularly in applications with fluctuating energy demands. This study aims to compare two different designs, a triple-tube heat exchanger (TTHE) and spherical ice balls, the latter being the most widely used traditional design in the industry. The TTHE design was first analyzed theoretically, then optimized using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations, and validated by the literature. Finally, it was compared with spherical ice balls under identical conditions. The analyses were conducted for an ice storage volume of 1000 kg, with the complete solidification process designed to occur within 8 h. The results indicate that the TTHE reduced solidification time by 25% while simultaneously increasing energy storage by 8%. This study contributes to the advancement of sustainable energy technologies by providing a comparative analysis of spherical ice balls and triple-tube heat exchangers for optimizing ice storage systems. The implementation of a TTHE for thermal storage can lower energy costs, mitigate peak demand, and address the intermittency challenges associated with renewable energy sources.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/15/4199ice energy storagetriple-tube heat exchangerspherical ice ballCFDenergy efficiency |
| spellingShingle | Gülşah Karaca Dolgun Comparison of Triple-Tube Heat Exchanger and Spherical Ice Balls for Energy Storage Performance: A Numerical Study Energies ice energy storage triple-tube heat exchanger spherical ice ball CFD energy efficiency |
| title | Comparison of Triple-Tube Heat Exchanger and Spherical Ice Balls for Energy Storage Performance: A Numerical Study |
| title_full | Comparison of Triple-Tube Heat Exchanger and Spherical Ice Balls for Energy Storage Performance: A Numerical Study |
| title_fullStr | Comparison of Triple-Tube Heat Exchanger and Spherical Ice Balls for Energy Storage Performance: A Numerical Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Comparison of Triple-Tube Heat Exchanger and Spherical Ice Balls for Energy Storage Performance: A Numerical Study |
| title_short | Comparison of Triple-Tube Heat Exchanger and Spherical Ice Balls for Energy Storage Performance: A Numerical Study |
| title_sort | comparison of triple tube heat exchanger and spherical ice balls for energy storage performance a numerical study |
| topic | ice energy storage triple-tube heat exchanger spherical ice ball CFD energy efficiency |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/15/4199 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT gulsahkaracadolgun comparisonoftripletubeheatexchangerandsphericaliceballsforenergystorageperformanceanumericalstudy |