A computational analysis of the impact of nanofluids (Al2O3)on the PCM melting process in a rectangular container

Abstract

The effect of nanofluids on the melting process of PCMs (RT58 paraffin wax) in a rectangle container is a topic of interest for many researchers. The use of nanofluids in PCMs can lead to faster and more efficient melting, resulting in improved energy storage and cooling performance. This paper has studied four cases with varying percentages of nanofluids. The percentage of nanofluid in PCM can affect the material's thermal conductivity and heat transfer performance. By varying the percentage of nanofluids, researchers aim to optimize the use of these in PCMs to achieve the best melting performance. Findings have shown that increasing the percentage of nanofluids in PCM can lead to improved thermal conductivity and heat transfer performance. However, at high concentrations (30% percent), the viscosity of the nanofluid can increase, leading to a decrease in heat transfer performance. Results show that at 30 min, PCM with 30% nanofluid melts 13.79% more than PCM without. Using 20% nanofluid in the PCM results in a melting percentage of 7.41%, decreasing to 3.85% at 10%.The specific application and the type of nanofluid used determine the optimal concentration of nanofluid in PCMs. This study is important for the use of phase-change materials in the cooling of large electronic devices.