Comparative evaluation of horizontal and vertical vibrations for enhancing phase change material melting in annular thermal energy storage

Key Points

• Phase change materials showed enhanced melting rates under vibrations, improving thermal efficiency.
• Horizontal vibrations resulted in a 15% faster melting rate compared to vertical vibrations, indicating a clear preference for one over the other.
• Observational analysis across various thermal energy storage systems revealed differences in performance based on vibration orientation, increasing relevance for engineering.
• This study highlights the potential for refined thermal energy storage setups to improve heat management; further tests needed for practical applications.