Optimization of the mass ratio and melting temperature of PCMs integrated in Salt Gradient Solar Ponds

Phase Change Materials (PCMs) are promising materials to increase the storage capacity of solar energy-based systems, such as Salt Gradient Solar Ponds (SGSPs), as they are characterized by a large latent heat during the solid-liquid phase change. This paper introduces an optimization study for PCM integration in SGSP, in terms of PCM mass ratio (14 %, 19 %, 28 % and 47 %) in the lower convective zone and PCM melting temperature (35 °C, 44 °C and 50 °C). Numerically, a 2D model is developed, consisting in the continuity equation as well on momentum, thermal energy and diffusion equations. In order to validate this numerical model, an experimental campaign of a parallelepiped SGSP with PCM capsules in the bottom is constructed. The latter is tested for two PCMs (RT35HC and RT44HC) and under different climatic conditions of March and June. Numerical and experimental have been compared in which the maximum average relative error does not exceed 4.62 %, which ensures a positive validation. The optimization returns that the final liquid fraction of PCM decreases both increasing the mass ratio and melting temperature. Higher mass ratios reduce the final temperature of the PCM (49.5 °C with 14 % and 42 °C with 47 % for RT35HC), and also with higher melting temperatures reduce the thermal energy stored, since the pond tends to work only as a sensible energy storage system.