1
2013.
MODELING AND SIMULATION OF HEAT STORAGE IN PHASE-CHANGE MATERIALS BASED ON COMPUTATIONAL FLUID DYNAMICS
A process for simulation of heat storage in phase-change materials (PCM) based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approach is presented. Cylindrical shape of PCM heated by an inner tube is analysed, in which two different heat-transfer mechanisms are considered: (i) conduction only, and (ii) combined natural convection and conduction. The physical properties of a PCM from literature are adopted for testing, and describe a typically used, commercial paraffin-based material. This preliminary study indicates successful use of CFD simulations in investigation and analysis of thermal energy storage in PCMs.