Abstract
Microchannels with microencapsulated phase change slurry (mPCM) have gained attention due to their compactness and large surface area to volume of fluid ratio. The phase change process also helps in sustaining high heat exchange over small temperature changes. This paper is focused on numerical investigation of heat transfer characteristics of mPCM slurry flow during its freezing phase in microchannels under convective boundary conditions. The phase change process was incorporated in numerical modeling by considering the rectangular profile of an effective specific heat capacity model. Numerical simulations were peformed for mPCM slurry with 5 to 15% mass concentration, and the results were compared with those obtained with pure water. The effects of mass concentration of mPCM slurry on pressure drop, local Nusselt number, and local temperatures along the length of the channel were investigated. It was noticed that the increase in mass concentration enhanced the local Nusselt number than pure water. At the outlet of microchannel for flow velocity of 0.55 m/s, the bulk and surface temperatures were found to be 3.12 K and 1.2 K higher than those recorded with pure water. With a mass concentration in 5–15% range the pressure drop for mPCM slurry was found to be 5.1–36% higher than the pure water case.
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.
