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ISSN Online: 2688-7231

ISBN Online: 978-1-56700-524-0

Proceedings of the 26thNational and 4th International ISHMT-ASTFE Heat and Mass Transfer Conference December 17-20, 2021, IIT Madras, Chennai-600036, Tamil Nadu, India
December, 17-20, 2021, IIT Madras, Chennai, India

Effect of fin location on constrained melting heat transfer of phase change material in a spherical capsule: A numerical study

Get access (open in a dialog) DOI: 10.1615/IHMTC-2021.2760
pages 1829-1834

Abstract

The present work is focussed on numerical investigation of the constrained melting of phase change material (n-octadecane) in a circumferentially finned spherical capsule keeping the circumferential lengths of the fins equal in all cases. Fins are located symmetrically at 12.5mm above and below the center of the spherical capsule. A series of two-dimensional transient numerical simulations are carried out. Present numerical results are validated with the existing experimental results of Tan et al. [2] and Fan et al. [3]. Various thermal performance parameters such as total time saved, enhancement ratio are used for comparative analysis. Baseline comparison of fin and no fin case have also been discussed. Results indicate that the least melting time of PCM is 95 minutes when the fin is at the center of the spherical capsule Also, an increase in the total melting time of about 63% and 47% have been observed as the fin is placed above and below the center of the spherical capsule, respectively compared to the case when the fin is located at the center of the spherical capsule. Maximum enhancement ratio is found to be 107% at 25 minutes for the fin location at the center of the spherical capsule. It has been concluded that the best melting performance is achieved when the fin is located at the center of the spherical capsule.