Modeling of Arbitrary-Shaped Specific and Latent Heat Curves in Phase-Change Storage Simulation Routines

Abstract

In solar heat storage, use is often made of the latent heat of phase-change materials (PCM) with a wide temperature transition range. In this paper the heat withdrawal of a slab of such a phase-change material after a step-wise change in wall temperature, and as a function of the shape of the specific and latent heat curve, has been studied with a computer simulation. It will be outlined that various shaped curves show the same heat withdrawal character as an equivalent rectangular-shaped specific heat curve. A procedure to obtain this equivalent curve will be given.