This project investigated how innovative finned tube designs can enhance the performance of latent heat thermal energy storage (LHTES) systems used in buildings. These systems employ phase change materials (PCMs) that absorb and release heat as they melt and solidify, helping to stabilise indoor temperatures and improve energy efficiency. However, PCMs often suffer from slow heat transfer. The project addressed this limitation by developing and testing a finned multi-tube configuration designed to improve the rate of heat exchange.

Using advanced computer simulations, the team compared plain and finned tube designs within a shell-and-multi-tube storage unit filled with a high-energy PCM. The finned design, which included dedicated charging and discharging tubes arranged in a staggered layout, demonstrated a 268 per cent higher heat storage rate (1421 watts compared with 387 watts for the plain design) and a 74.5 per cent reduction in melting time (196 minutes compared with 770 minutes). During discharging, the fins provided a smoother and more consistent release of heat over a 20-hour period, improving temperature stability and efficiency. The findings have strong implications for the building and construction sector, particularly for energy-efficient buildings equipped with integrated renewable technologies. The system could be combined with photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) panels to store excess solar heat during the day and release it later for space or water heating. This would reduce reliance on conventional energy sources, lower operating costs, and support the development of low-carbon buildings.Overall, this project demonstrates how optimised finned tube geometries can make thermal storage systems more compact, responsive, and suitable for integration into modern building energy management systems. It provides a foundation for designing next-generation buildings with improved thermal comfort and sustainability