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Published on: February 17, 2021
Investigation of nano-particle effects on cold storage performance using finite element modeling
Khalid H Almitani1, Ali Basem2, Hussein A Z Al-Bonsrulah3
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Scientific Reports
|July 12, 2026
Summary
Optimizing nanoparticle size and concentration in cold energy storage systems significantly enhances freezing rates. This research demonstrates a 20% increase in solidification speed and a 41.23% reduction in freezing time using these additives.
Area of Science:
- Energy storage systems
- Nanomaterials science
- Heat transfer
Background:
- Cold energy storage systems are crucial for thermal management.
- Enhancing solidification rates is key to improving system efficiency.
- Nanoparticles offer potential for improved thermal properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To optimize additive materials for enhanced solidification in finned cold energy storage.
- To numerically investigate the combined effects of nanoparticle diameter and concentration.
- To identify optimal nanoparticle conditions for improved thermal storage performance.
Main Methods:
- Numerical simulation using the Galerkin finite element approach.
- Application of an adaptive meshing strategy for accurate freezing front resolution.
- Systematic evaluation of various nanoparticle volume fractions and diameters.
Main Results:
- An optimal nanoparticle size was identified, increasing the solidification rate by 20%.
- Dispersing nanoparticles reduced the total freezing duration by approximately 41.23%.
- Numerical predictions showed strong agreement with experimental data.
Conclusions:
- Nanoparticle optimization is highly effective in enhancing cold energy storage performance.
- Selecting optimal nanoparticle size and concentration is critical for maximizing thermal storage efficiency.
- This study provides a systematic framework for nanoparticle-based cold energy storage optimization.
