Numerical investigation of enhancement in melting process of PCM by using internal fins

Abstract

This paper presents numerical investigation of melting N-eicosane as phase change material (PCM). Effect of using innovative tube shape, in which internal fin had been added to HTF tube, in melting process in cylindrical container had been investigated. For understanding the effect of HTF tube shape in melting rate, different number of fin had been added to HTF tube, and also for understanding this effect more clearly, effect of different number of fin had been investigated for two different situations: (1) ratio of A/P which is ratio of HTF perimeter to area that PCM had occupied had been considered fix and (2) outer diameter had been considered fix and by changing the HTF tube shape, does not change. Also, inner tube had been considered as hot tube and outer tube as insulated. Numerical results were shown by increasing the fin to inner tube; rate of melting increases.