Lattice Boltzmann investigation of the solid-liquid phase change process in a cavity with protruding heater

Abstract

The solid-liquid phase change process in a cavity with protruding heater is of significant importance to application of phase change material (PCM). In this paper, the phase change lattice Boltzmann (LB) model has been applied and the effects of heater and inclination angle of cavity on phase change process are investigated. The results show that moving the protruding heater is able to change the temperature distribution and location of solid-liquid interface. The phase change process can be accelerated by moving the heater to middle region of cavity. Decreasing the distance between heater and cavity upper wall enhances the flow obstruction, and reduces the heat transferred through upper and right walls of heater. Furthermore, rotating the cavity changes the distance of flow from heater to cavity. Increasing inclination angle from 30° to 45° enhances the heat transfer rate of heater's upper wall and weakens that of heater's right wall.