A Numerical Study of the Effect of Water Speed on the Melting Process of Phase Change Materials Inside a Vertical Cylindrical Container

Abstract

The present work offers a thorough analysis of the impact of water velocity on phase change material (PCM) melting in a vertical cylindrical container. A detailed quantitative analysis uses sophisticated numerical techniques, namely the ANSYS/FLUENT 16 program, to clarify the complex relationship between enthalpy and porosity during the melting process. The experimental focus is on phase transition materials based on paraffin wax, particularly Rubitherm RT42. This study’s primary goal is to evaluate the effects of different water velocities (that is, at velocities of 0.01 m/s, 0.1 m/s, and 1 m/s) on the PCM’s melting behavior at a constant temperature of 333 K. This work intends to make a substantial contribution to the development of thermal energy storage systems by investigating new perspectives on PCM behavior under various flow circumstances. The study’s key findings highlight the possible ramifications for improving PCM-based thermal energy storage devices by revealing significant differences in melting rates and behavior that correlate to changes in water velocities. Future research is recommended to explore the impact of temperature variations, container geometries, and experimental validation to improve the accuracy and practicality of the results and to advance the creation of sustainable and effective energy storage solutions.

Keywords

• phase change material (PCM)
• melting process
• heat transfer
• thermal energy storage
• velocity effect