Solidification of PCM within a tank with longitudinal-Y shape fins and CuO nanoparticle

Abstract

In present article, benefits of fins and dispersing nanomaterial were employed to achieve quickest solidification. Heat release process has been examined in various cases and RT35 has been utilized as PCM. With employ of gravity term, three main cases were scrutinized. The first case has no fins while two other cases have fins with different arrangement. Two finned tank have same volume of PCM and buoyancy force is the only factor which leads to different the performance of these cases. Copper oxide has been added in to paraffin to enhance the discharging rate because of greater conduction mode. Single phase mode for estimating nanomaterial effect helps to decline the computational price. Due to low concentration of CuO, the slip velocity between particles and PCM has been ignored. Verification with previous article made us confidence about the accuracy of modeling. With inclusion of nanomaterial in second case, the needed time changes from 19.16 min to 5.83 min. Also, augmenting φ from 0 to 0.05 for third case leads to change in discharging time from 19.45 min to 16.65 min. The solidification time for 2nd and 3rd cases with NEPCM reduces about 70.06% and 69.2% in comparison to first case, respectively. With augment of Ste. from 0.15 to 0.27 and 0.21 for second case with pure RT35, the time need for full discharging reduces about 44.4% and 28.9%, respectively. With progress of time, the mass of liquid phase reduces and subsequently lower amount of heat release will be achieved. Inclusion of nanomaterial results in lower amount of energy. Also, the second case has greater amount of energy than third case.