Heat Transfer During Constrained Melting of Nano-Enhanced Phase Change Materials in a Spherical Capsule: An Experimental Study

2016 ◽  
Vol 138 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Li-Wu Fan ◽  
Zi-Qin Zhu ◽  
Min-Jie Liu ◽  
Can-Ling Xu ◽  
Yi Zeng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Thermal Conductivity ◽  
Natural Convection ◽  
Phase Change ◽  
Phase Change Materials ◽  
Classical Problem ◽  
Dominant Mode ◽  
Graphite Nanosheets ◽  
Melting Experiments ◽  
Spherical Capsule

The classical problem of constrained melting heat transfer of a phase change material (PCM) inside a spherical capsule was revisited experimentally in the presence of nanoscale thermal conductivity fillers. The model nano-enhanced PCM (NePCM) samples were prepared by dispersing self-synthesized graphite nanosheets (GNSs) into 1-dodecanol at various loadings up to 1% by mass. The melting experiments were carried out using an indirect method by measuring the instantaneous volume expansion upon melting. The data analysis was performed based on the homogeneous, single-component assumption for NePCM with modified thermophysical properties. It was shown that the introduction of nanofillers increases the effective thermal conductivity of NePCM, in accompaniment with an undesirable rise in viscosity. The dramatic viscosity growth, up to over 100-fold at the highest loading, deteriorates significantly the intensity of natural convection, which was identified as the dominant mode of heat transfer during constrained melting. The loss in natural convection was found to overweigh the decent enhancement in heat conduction, thus resulting in decelerated melting in the presence of nanofillers. Except for the case with the lowest heating boundary temperature, a monotonous slowing trend of melting was observed with increasing the loading.

Heat Transfer During Constrained Melting of Graphite-Based Nanofluids in a Spherical Capsule

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zi-Qin Zhu ◽  
Li-Wu Fan ◽  
Min-Jie Liu ◽  
Yi Zeng
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Thermal Conductivity ◽  
Natural Convection ◽  
Phase Change ◽  
Dynamic Viscosity ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
Melting Process ◽  
Heat Of Fusion ◽  
Graphite Nanosheets ◽  
Spherical Capsule

Transient heat transfer during constrained melting of graphite-based solid-liquid phase change nanofluids in a spherical capsule was investigated experimentally. Nanofluids filled with self-prepared graphite nanosheets (GNSs) were prepared at various loadings up to 1% by weight, using a straight-chain saturated fatty alcohol, i.e., 1-dodecanol (C12H26O), with a nominal melting point of 22 °C as the base fluid. In-house measured thermal properties were adopted for data reduction, including thermal conductivity, dynamic viscosity, latent heat of fusion, specific heat capacity and density. A proper experimental approach depended on volume expansion was figured out to monitor the melting process of nano-enhanced phase change fluid in a spherical capsule indirectly and qualitatively characterize the process. A variety of boundary temperatures were also adopted to vary the intensity of natural convection. It was shown that under low boundary temperatures, a monotonous melting acceleration came into being while increasing the loading due to the monotonously increased thermal conductivity of the nanofluids. While increasing the boundary temperature leads to more intensive natural convection that in turn slowed down melting under the influence of nanoparticles because the contribution by natural convection is significantly suppressed by the dramatically grown dynamic viscosity, e.g., more than 60-fold increase at the loading of 1 wt.%. The melting rate is determined by the competition between the enhanced heat conduction and deteriorated natural convection.

A Novel Indirect Visualization Method for Studying the Melting Heat Transfer of Nano-Enhanced Phase Change Materials Using Thermochromic Liquid Crystal Thermography

2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nan Hu ◽  
Zi-Rui Li ◽  
Run-Hui Zhang ◽  
Li-Wu Fan
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Liquid Crystal ◽  
Phase Change ◽  
Phase Change Materials ◽  
Phase Interface ◽  
Classical Problem ◽  
Dominant Mode ◽  
Thermochromic Liquid Crystal ◽  
Melting Heat ◽  
Melting Heat Transfer

Abstract In order to give more sights into the melting (and solidification) heat transfer processes of nano-enhanced phase change material (NePCM) with invisible phase interfaces, a novel indirect method for tracking the phase interface by thermochromic liquid crystal (TLC) thermography is proposed. As an example case to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed method, the classical problem of melting heat transfer in a differentially heated rectangular cavity was revisited in the presence of NePCM of various loadings. A narrowband TLC was selected and calibrated carefully to build the hue–temperature relationship prior to being applied in the melting experiments. For validation purpose, the case of an unloaded NePCM, with a clear visible phase interface, was tested via combined direct and indirect observations. It was shown that this TLC method can easily and accurately capture the dynamic motions of the phase interface during melting. Based on the shape evolutions of the phase interface, it was concluded that for the NePCM sample with a higher loading (and hence a much greater viscosity), heat conduction becomes the dominant mode of heat transfer during melting as a result of the significantly deteriorated natural convection effect. This gives an intuitive confirmation of the hypothesis made in previous studies that were conducted using volume-average-based indirect methods.

An Experimental Study of Inward Solidification of Nano-Enhanced Phase Change Materials (NePCM) Inside a Spherical Capsule

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Min-Jie Liu ◽  
Zi-Qin Zhu ◽  
Li-Wu Fan ◽  
Zi-Tao Yu
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Conductivity ◽  
Phase Change ◽  
Phase Change Materials ◽  
Classical Problem ◽  
Transient Phase ◽  
Graphite Nanoplatelets ◽  
The Matrix ◽  
Thermally Conductive ◽  
Spherical Capsule ◽  
Enhanced Thermal Conductivity

Nano-enhanced phase change materials (PCM), referred to as NePCM, have been proposed by doping highly thermally-conductive nanofillers into matrix PCM to prepare composites that have enhanced thermal conductivity. The classical problem of inward solidification of PCM inside a spherical capsule, with applications to thermal energy storage, was revisited in the presence of nanofillers. In this work, the model NePCM samples were prepared with 1-tetradecanol (C14H30O) possessing a nominal melting point of 37 °C as the matrix PCM. Graphite nanoplatelets (GNPs) were synthesized and utilized as the nanofillers at loadings up to 1% by weight. The transient phase change and heat transfer during solidification were characterized by means of an indirect method that is based on the knowledge of transient volume shrinkage of the PCM. The experimental results showed that the total solidification time becomes shorter with increasing the loading of GNPs, in accordance to the increased effective thermal conductivity of the NePCM samples.

Inward Solidification Heat Transfer of Nano-Enhanced Phase Change Materials in a Spherical Capsule: An Experimental Study

2017 ◽  
Vol 140 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zi-Qin Zhu ◽  
Min-Jie Liu ◽  
Nan Hu ◽  
Yuan-Kai Huang ◽  
Li-Wu Fan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Phase Change ◽  
Phase Change Materials ◽  
Classical Problem ◽  
Solidification Time ◽  
Graphite Nanoplatelets ◽  
Practical Applications ◽  
Retrieval Rate ◽  
Microscale Transport ◽  
Spherical Capsule

The classical problem of inward solidification heat transfer inside a spherical capsule, with an application to thermal energy storage (TES), was revisited in the presence of nano-enhanced phase change materials (NePCM). The model NePCM samples were prepared by dispersing graphite nanoplatelets (GNPs) into 1-tetradecanol (C14H30O) at loadings up to 3.0 wt %. The transient phase change, energy retrieval, and heat transfer rates during solidification of the various NePCM samples were measured quantitatively using a volume-shrinkage-based indirect method. The data reduction and analysis were carried out under single-component, homogeneous assumption of the NePCM samples without considering the microscale transport phenomena of GNPs. It was shown that the total solidification time becomes monotonously shorter with increasing the loading of GNPs, in accordance with the increased effective thermal conductivity. The maximum relative acceleration of solidification was found to be more than 50% for the most concentrated sample, which seems to be appreciable for practical applications. In addition to enhanced heat conduction, the possible effects due to the elimination of supercooling and viscosity growth were elucidated. The heat retrieval rate was also shown to be increased monotonously with raising the loading of GNPs, although the heat storage capacity is sacrificed. Despite the remarkable acceleration of the solidification time, the use of a high loading (e.g., 3.0 wt %) was demonstrated to be possibly uneconomical because of the marginal gain in heat retrieval rate. Finally, correlations for the transient variations of the melt fraction and surface-averaged Nusselt number were proposed.

Natural Convection in an Enclosure With Blend of Micro Encapsulated Phase Change Materials

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasmin Khakpour ◽  
Jamal Seyed-Yagoobi
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Thermal Expansion ◽  
Natural Convection ◽  
Phase Change ◽  
Latent Heat ◽  
Phase Change Materials ◽  
Numerical Study ◽  
Pure Water ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Effective Density

This numerical study investigates the effect of using a blend of micro-encapsulated phase change materials (MEPCMs) on the heat transfer characteristics of a liquid in a rectangular enclosure driven by natural convection. A comparison has been made between the cases of using single component MEPCM slurry and a blend of two-component MEPCM slurry. The natural convection is generated by the temperature difference between two vertical walls of the enclosure maintained at constant temperatures. Each of the two phase change materials store latent heat at a specific range of temperatures. During phase change of the PCM, the effective density of the slurry varies. This results in thermal expansion and hence a buoyancy driven flow. The effects of MEPCM concentration in the slurry and changes in the operating conditions such as the wall temperatures compared to that of pure water have been studied. The MEPCM latent heat and the increased volumetric thermal expansion coefficient during phase change of the MEPCM play a major role in this heat transfer augmentation.

Solid/Liquid Phase Change Heat Transfer in Latent Heat Thermal Energy Storage

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Zhou ◽  
C. Y. Zhao
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Thermal Conductivity ◽  
Energy Storage ◽  
Phase Change ◽  
Calcium Chloride ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Thermal Energy Storage ◽  
Phase Change Materials ◽  
Metal Foams ◽  
Chloride Hexahydrate

Phase change materials (PCMs) have been widely used for thermal energy storage systems due to their capability of storing and releasing large amounts of energy with a small volume and a moderate temperature variation. Most PCMs suffer the common problem of low thermal conductivity, being around 0.2 and 0.5 for paraffin and inorganic salts, respectively, which prolongs the charging and discharging period. In an attempt to improve the thermal conductivity of phase change materials, the graphite or metallic matrix is often embedded within PCMs to enhance the heat transfer. This paper presents an experimental study on heat transfer characteristics of PCMs embedded with open-celled metal foams. In this study both paraffin wax and calcium chloride hexahydrate are employed as the heat storage media. The transient heat transfer behavior is measured. Compared to the results of pure PCMs samples, the investigation shows that the additions of metal foams can double the overall heat transfer rate during the melting process. The results of calcium chloride hexahydrate are also compared with those of paraffin wax.

Latent Heat Storage: Container Geometry, Enhancement Techniques, and Applications—A Review

2019 ◽  
Vol 141 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Arunachalam
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Thermal Conductivity ◽  
Energy Storage ◽  
Phase Change ◽  
Latent Heat ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Heat Exchangers ◽  
Phase Change Materials ◽  
Heat Storage ◽  
Low Thermal Conductivity

Energy storage helps in waste management, environmental protection, saving of fossil fuels, cost effectiveness, and sustainable growth. Phase change material (PCM) is a substance which undergoes simultaneous melting and solidification at certain temperature and pressure and can thereby absorb and release thermal energy. Phase change materials are also called thermal batteries which have the ability to store large amount of heat at fixed temperature. Effective integration of the latent heat thermal energy storage system with solar thermal collectors depends on heat storage materials and heat exchangers. The practical limitation of the latent heat thermal energy system for successful implementation in various applications is mainly from its low thermal conductivity. Low thermal conductivity leads to low heat transfer coefficient, and thereby, the phase change process is prolonged which signifies the requirement of heat transfer enhancement techniques. Typically, for salt hydrates and organic PCMs, the thermal conductivity range varies between 0.4–0.7 W/m K and 0.15–0.3 W/m K which increases the thermal resistance within phase change materials during operation, seriously affecting efficiency and thermal response. This paper reviews the different geometry of commercial heat exchangers that can be used to address the problem of low thermal conductivity, like use of fins, additives with high thermal conductivity materials like metal strips, microencapsulated PCM, composite PCM, porous metals, porous metal foam matrix, carbon nanofibers and nanotubes, etc. Finally, different solar thermal applications and potential PCMs for low-temperature thermal energy storage were also discussed.

Numerical Evaluation of Multiple Phase Change Materials for Pulsed Electronics Applications

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Gonzalez-Nino ◽  
Lauren M. Boteler ◽  
Dimeji Ibitayo ◽  
Nicholas R. Jankowski ◽  
Pedro O. Quintero
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Thermal Conductivity ◽  
Heat Source ◽  
Phase Change ◽  
Phase Change Materials ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Heat Of Fusion ◽  
Maximum Temperature ◽  
Conductivity Enhancement ◽  
Fast Transient

A simple and easy to implement 1-D heat transfer modeling approach is presented in order to investigate the performance of various phase change materials (PCMs) under fast transient thermal loads. Three metallic (gallium, indium, and Bi/Pb/Sn/In alloy) and two organic (erythritol and n-octadecane) PCMs were used for comparison. A finite-difference method was used to model the transient heat transfer through the system while a heat integration or post-iterative method was used to model the phase change. To improve accuracy, the material properties were adjusted at each iteration depending on the state of matter of the PCM. The model assumed that the PCM was in direct contact with the heat source, located on the top of the chip, without the presence of a thermal conductivity enhancement. Results show that the three metallic PCMs outperform organic PCMs during fast transient pulses in spite of the fact that two of the metallic PCMs (i.e. indium and Bi/Pb/Sn/In) have considerably lower volumetric heats of fusion than erythritol. This is due to the significantly higher thermal conductivity values of metals which allow faster absorption of the heat energy by the PCM, a critical need in high-energy short pulses. The most outstanding case studied in this paper, Bi/Pb/Sn/In having only 52% of erythritol’s heat of fusion, showed a maximum temperature 20°C lower than erythritol during a 32 J and 0.02 second pulse. This study has shown thermal buffering benefits by using a metallic PCM directly in contact with the heat source during short transient heat loads.

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