Roles of nanoparticles on freezing process of water within a tank equipped within fins

Abstract

In this article, solidification of water has been modeled based on Galerkin approach. In this numerical technique, transient phenomena can be simulated with high accuracy because time step is variable factor in this software and mesh can become denser in regions with higher temperature gradient. For verification test, empirical data has been examined and low deviation has been reported. To reach unit with higher efficiency, not only dispersion of nanomaterial but also utilizing extended surface has been suggested in this work. To increase the effective area, wavy wall has been utilized as well as installing the fin with various lengths inside the domain. Concentration of NEPCM is lower than 0.05, so homogeneous model can be utilized for calculating NEPCM features especially thermal conductivity in which shape factor effect has been incorporated. Installing longer fins and utilizing higher shape factor causes required time to reduce because of higher conduction mode. The needed time for m = 3 is 1.09 times greater than case with platelet. At L = 3.5, augment of m leads to change needed time form 315.9 s to 289.54 s. Time declines about 21% with augment of fin length. Also, utilizing loner fins leads to decrease time from 366.57 to 289.54 s when m = 5.7. The lowest performance among scrutinized cases is belongs to case with m = 3, L = 7. As time increases, the volume of liquid phase decrease which offers lower heat release and temperature drop. Outputs depicts that impact of L of profiles is more effective than that of m. With growth of solid fraction, temperature declines. Also, with augment of L and m, energy declines while solid fraction increases.