Simulation of Melting Process for Solar Energy Storage in form of Latent Heat of Material

Abstract

In this work, modeling and simulation of the melting process of phase change material using the Finite Volume Method (FVM) were carried out for storing solar energy in form of latent heat in phase change material. The mathematical model is a fixed-grid formulation in which the energy equation coupled with Navier–Stokes equations was solved for the domain of the solid, liquid, and liquid–solid region (mushy zone). However, enthalpy formulation was implemented in the energy equation. The evolution of the liquid–solid interface was determined by the Gulliver–Scheil relation. The mushy zone was modeled as porous media. The simulation results were validated with the experimental data available in the literature. Post-validation, simulation is carried out for various conditions. These results show that conduction is the dominant mode of energy transfer at commencement melting. However, convection is the dominant mode of heat transfer after partial melting. The developed model is useful for predicting the performance of energy storage in the form of latent heat of phase change material.