NAISS
SUPR
NAISS Projects
SUPR
Iceheart AB CFD modelling - PCM-TES for refrigeration
Dnr:

NAISS 2026/4-1042

Type:

NAISS Small

Principal Investigator:

Saman Nimali Gunasekara

Affiliation:

Kungliga Tekniska högskolan

Start Date:

2026-06-03

End Date:

2027-01-01

Primary Classification:

20304: Energy Engineering

Allocation

Abstract

To support my research on Thermal Energy Storage, currently collaborating with a company Iceheart AB, two master's theses are conducted in collaboration with the start-up company, Iceheart, on an innovative cooling system using phase change materials (PCMs) for thermal energy storage (TES) in a specialized heat exchanger (HEX) design. Two separate applications are considered—one for stationary use and one for mobile (cold transport) use—respectively analyzed using CFD modeling with COMSOL Multiphysics. These HEX designs are not axisymmetric and require full-scale 3D modeling. Additionally, the models must simulate the complex multiphysics of refrigerant condensation/evaporation and the melting/solidification of PCMs under fluctuating operating conditions. Existing student computers at KTH were found to be insufficient for these simulations; therefore, we apply for PDC resources to analyze these geometries at full scale. The resources and therein the results from the student work will greatly contribute to my own research where we will use the results as basis for a funding proposal that I am preparing with the company. (No webpage for this project itself, so sharing my profile page instead)