The output of the latent heat storage devices (LHSDs), based on some phase change materials (PCMs), depends upon the thermophysical properties of the phase change material used. In this study, a paraffin-based nanofluid, blended with aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃) nanoparticles, is used as PCM for performance evaluation. A three-dimensional (3D) numerical model of regenerative type shell-and-tube LHSD is prepared using COMSOL Multiphysics^® 4.3a software to estimate the percentage of melt and the average temperature of the analyzed nanofluids. The results of this study are in close agreement with those reported in the literature, thereby ensuring the validation of the numerically predicted results. The effects of adding the nanoparticles on the rate of melting, as well as solidification and rate of stored/liberated energy, are studied. The results revealed that, by adding 10% nanoparticles of Al₂O₃, the melting rate of pure-paraffin-based LHSD improved by about 2.25 times. In addition, the rate of solidification was enhanced by 1.8 times. On the other hand, the heat of fusion and specific heat capacities were reduced, which, in turn, reduced the latent and sensible heat-storing capabilities. From the outcomes of the present research, it can be inferred that combining LHSD with a solar water heater may be used in technologies such as biogas generation.

There is a huge application and demand for titanium alloys with excellent upgraded mechanical, metallurgical, and material properties in modern industries. To fulfill the demand of modern industries metal forming process is highly desirable. Among all metal forming processes, a special type of cold forming called the continuous extrusion process has been highly appropriate to fulfill the demands. The theoretical analysis has been carried out through Upper Bound Method. The numerical simulation has been carried out through the three-dimensional finite element tool DEFORM-3D. The experimental plan and design have been carried out using Taguchi (2^3) array methods on the MINITAB platform by considering extrusion wheel velocity and feedstock temperature as chief extrusion parameters. The experimental validation process was executed on 12.5 mm CP- Titanium grade 2 feedstock materials using a TBJ350 CONFORM machine setup. The optimization process of parameters for the optimum value of the response variable was carried out through Grey Relational Analysis.