Abstract:
An analytical model earlier developed for calculation of
transient phase-change material (PCM) melting (Dubovsky et
al. [1]) proved to be a useful tool for use in the analysis of
various structures. As shown in our subsequent studies, despite
the serious assumptions in its development, the model is
effective in optimization of the design and parameters of
systems, including the case of transition from analytical
methods to numerical calculations. The present work shows
that the use of the analytical technique and its modifications for
the analyzed PCM arrangements is beneficial. Proper
application of the technique makes it possible to obtain the
parameters of the real PCM melting process in the form of
algebraic formulas, both for the transient values of variables
over time, and for the overall process characteristics. Our
analysis is performed for the commonly used PCM containers
where we use classifications in terms of the geometry and
configuration as defined in the literature. A comparison with
the results of numerical calculations of transient melting by
CFD FLUENT, confirms the validity of algebraic formulas and
allows to assess the nature and value of the introduced error in
the results of our analytical method, for each analyzed case.
Description:
Papers presented to the 12th International Conference on Heat Transfer, Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics, Costa de Sol, Spain on 11-13 July 2016.
