Dynamic tuning of phase change interfacial thermal energy transport in hybrid nano-enhanced phase change materials by a non-uniform magnetic field

Abstract

The present study aims to explore the synergistic enhanced phase change heat transfer behavior between magnetic field and hybrid nanoparticles under the consideration of non-Newtonian effects. The visualized experiments are conducted using thermochromic liquid crystal technology to extract the interconnection between dynamic phase change interface evolution and temperature change of hybrid nano-enhanced phase change material (HNEPCM), and thermocouples to measure temperature data inside the latent heat thermal energy storage unit. The magnetic field and hybrid nanoparticles synergistic mechanism is then further revealed based on the analysis of liquid phase fraction, Nusselt number, energy storage and energy storage efficiency. The results show that under magnetic field, the magnetic nanoparticles form a “thermal conductivity layer” at the solid-liquid interface, while the non-magnetic nanoparticles in the liquid phase region drive the phase change heat transfer to proceed. The non-Newtonian effect induced by high concentration of HNEPCM can weaken the convection intensity. The competition between natural convection and magnetic viscous effect under magnetic field is induced at different hybrid ratios of magnetic and non-magnetic nanoparticles. High hybrid ratios (R = 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0) will be more favorable to satisfy the high thermal conductivity requirement in the liquid phase region and the dynamic adjustment condition at the phase change interface. Under a non-uniform magnetic field, 1 wt.% HNEPCM with R = 1.0 is considered as the optimum strategy with better energy storage performance and higher magnetic field effect.