Temporal numerical analysis of beeswax PCM melting in a cube geometry subjected to a constant wall temperature condition

Abstract

The ability of phase change materials (PCM) to store thermal energy has gained wide application area, like battery thermal management, solar water desalination and many other. The melting process of beeswax phase change material within the cube geometry with constant wall temperature (65 °C) boundary condition has been investigated using solidification and melting model. The fluid flow and heat transfer governing equations are solved using second order finite volume scheme. A PRESTO algorithm is applied for pressure-velocity coupling. The convergence criteria of 10−10 have been selected for energy equation, while 10−8 is selected for both momentum and continuity equations. The results like percentage variation along length-height and height-width plane for transient liquid fraction and temperature has been plotted, along with velocity streamlines within the cube geometry. From the obtained results it is concluded that the melting fraction and temperature of beeswax PCM is different in different planes and the major factors which affect the complete melting process is wall temperature, and the geometry. A difference of more than 0.1 °C in temperature has been recorded between mid-length-height and height-width plane while a difference of more than 2% in liquid fraction of PCM is observed. Even the uniformity of temperature and liquid fraction is notably influenced and vary along length, height, and width of cube geometry. Thus, it is concluded that melting process of PCM may affect the ability to store and release the heat energy which further affect the performance parameters of applied physical system.