Numerical simulation on heat transfer process in phase change energy storage material embedded in metal foam

作者：Gong Wei; Yang Zhen; Duan Yuanyuan^*

来源：Acta Energiae Solaris Sinica, 2014, 35(9): 1682-1687.

• Heat transfer process
• Heat transfer rate
• Melting fronts
• Melting heat transfer
• Melting process
• Metal foams
• Stefan numbers
• Two Temperature Model

A two-temperature model is adopted to numerically study the heat transfer process in phase change material embedded in metal foam. In the model, the coupling heat transfer rate between the phase change material and the metal foam is characterized by an interstitial Nusselt number, and the overall heat transfer rate is characterized by a wall Nusselt number. The study derives the dimensionless equations and analyzes the influence of the Stefan number Ste and the viscosity on melting process. Result shows as the influence of convection, the melting front moves more rapidly in the upper region than in the bottom region. When the Stefan number increases, the melting front moves faster and the wall Nusselt number decreases. The viscosity mainly affects the Grashof number. As the viscosity decreases, the convection become important and the melting front become more inclined. The melting front in the upper region moves faster. In the later stage of melting process, the wall Nusselt number increases as the viscosity decreases.

• 出版日期2014
• 单位清华大学