Latent Heat Thermal Energy Storage (LHTES) systems, using phase change materials (PCMs), are promising solutions for efficient thermal energy management, especially in renewable energy storage and waste heat recovery. However, the low thermal conductivity of PCMs limits their performance. This study investigates a novel LHTES design that enhances thermal performance by integrating metal foam and dynamic melting. The system utilizes the hot liquid PCM as a working fluid, circulating between the shell and tube, with metal foam filling the space between them. A Nichrome heating element creates a liquid film that accelerates the melting of PCM. The study focuses on the effects of fin size (20 %–70 % of the enclosure width), inlet pressure, and heating element power on the thermal and flow behaviors. The finite element method was employed to solve the governing equations, considering both natural convection and the temperature difference between the PCM and metal foam. Key results show that increasing fin size reduces melting rates by obstructing convective flow, with a 27 % slower melting rate at 70 % fin size compared to 20 %. Increasing inlet pressure from 500 Pa to 3000 Pa enhanced melting rates by 51 % and 200 %, respectively. Similarly, increasing the heating element power from 250 W to 500 W accelerated melting by 189 %. The findings highlight the significant role of metal foam in improving heat transfer efficiency and reducing melting time. This work offers new insights into optimizing LHTES systems by integrating dynamic melting with metal foam, providing a more efficient solution for thermal energy storage compared to previous approaches.
