New Bio-Inspired, Multiphase Forced Convection Cooling by ABS Plastic or Encapsulated Paraffin Beads

Abstract

Preliminary experimental results of forced convection by octadecane paraffin (encapsulating phase-change material (EPCM)) particles, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene plastic particles, or by clear (of particulates) water flowing through a heated parallel-plates channel are reported. The objective is to investigate the mixing effect of the particles vis-à-vis the latent heat effect. The particle concentration is kept at 3% in volume. The results, in terms of surface-averaged channel temperature and heat transfer coefficient for different fluid speed and heat-flux, indicate the mixing effect to account from 19% to 68% of the heat transfer enhancement produced by using EPCM particles. Hence particle mixing, even at a very low particle concentration, is an effective convection mechanism.