Numerical investigations of unconstrained melting of nano-enhanced phase change material (NEPCM) inside a spherical container

• Published in: International journal of thermal sciences 2012, Vol.51, p.77-83
• Main Authors: Hosseinizadeh, S.F., Darzi, A.A. Rabienataj, Tan, F.L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Computer simulation; Containers; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Exact sciences and technology; Heat transfer; Melting; Melting inside sphere; Nano-particle; Nanocomposites; Nanomaterials; Nanostructure; NEPCM; Phase change material; Thermal conductivity; Transport and storage of energy; Unconstrained melting
• ISSN: 1290-0729; 1778-4166
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijthermalsci.2011.08.006

This paper presents a numerical study of unconstrained melting of nano-enhanced phase change materials (NEPCM) inside a spherical container using RT27 and copper particles as base material and nano-particle, respectively. Numerical studies are performed for three different Stefan number and volume fraction of nano-particles with an initial sub-cooling of 6 °C. Transient numerical simulations are performed for axi-symmetric melting inside a sphere. The simulation results show that the nano-particles cause an increase in thermal conductivity of NEPCM compared to conventional PCM. The enhancement in thermal conductivity with a decrease in latent heat results in higher melting rate of NEPCM. ► The paper studied unconstrained melting inside a sphere with nano-enhanced phase change material (NEPCM). ► The NEPCM comprises paraffin wax as base material and copper particles as nano-particles. ► Numerical simulations are done at three different Stefan number and volume fraction of nano-particles. ► Simulation results show the enhancement in thermal conductivity of NEPCM causes a higher melting rate.