ISSN Online: 2377-424X
ISBN Print: 978-1-56700-474-8
ISBN Online: 978-1-56700-473-1
International Heat Transfer Conference 16
HEAT TRANSFER AND INTERFACE EVOLUTION OF THE PCM MELTING IN A RECTANGULAR ENCLOSURE WITH OR WITHOUT POROUS MEDIA
Abstract
Phase change energy storage is an important solution for overcoming human energy crisis. In this paper,
temperature, flow field, solid-liquid interface of a PCM with or without porous media were theoretically
studied. The influences of basic parameters on the melting process were analyzed. A PCM thermal storage
device with metal-foam is designed and a thermodynamic analysis for it is conducted. The optimal PCM
temperature and the optimal HTF temperature in the metal-foam-enhanced thermal storage device are
derived. The results show that the solid-liquid interface of the pure PCM is a line, and that of the mixture
PCM is a mushy area. Natural convection in the melting liquid is very intensive for a PCM without porous
medium. The porous medium weakens the natural convection, and makes temperature field, flow field and
solid-liquid interface distribution more homogeneous. Metal foams greatly improve the PCM heat transfer
rate. Heat transfer enhancement with metal foams is proved to be potential for thermal storage applications.