Abstract
This work investigates the melting and heat transfer characteristics from an isothermally heated circular cylinder placed inside twelve differentially shaped enclosures filled with the lauric acid (PCM). Extensive results are reported on streamlines, temperature contours, and rate of melting to delineate the influence of enclosure shape on the melting performance of thermal energy storage (TES) unit. The study is conducted at two different surface temperatures of the heated cylinder, namely, 333.15 K and 343.15 K. The time required to reach the fully melt condition largely depends on the amount of PCM above the heated cylinder and the interaction between the thermal boundary layers at the adiabatic wall and the cylinder surface. Among all shapes considered, the inverted semi-circular enclosure yields the fastest melting. Simple modifications in the geometrical shape of the enclosure are seen to significantly reduce the melting time (by ∼ four times) required to reach the fully melt condition thereby expediting the energy storage process. Thus, such elementary geometrical changes in the TES systems can hugely benefit by reducing the energy losses and yield larger industrial margins. At the end, limited results are also included for the complete melting-solidification cycle for the utilization of the results in a broader spectrum.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
