Heat Transfer Characteristics of Liquid Flow With Micro-Encapsulated Phase Change Material: Numerical Study

Abstract

This numerical investigation fundamentally explores the thermal boundary layers’ characteristics of liquid flow with micro-encapsulated phase change material (MEPCM). Unlike pure liquids, the heat transfer characteristics of MEPCM slurry cannot be simply presented in terms of corresponding dimensionless controlling parameters, such as Peclet number. In the presence of phase change particles, the controlling parameters’ values change significantly along the tube length due to the phase change. The MEPCM slurry flow does not reach a fully developed condition as long as the MEPCM particles experience phase change. The presence of MEPCM in the working fluid slows the growth of the thermal boundary layer and extends the thermal entry length. The local heat transfer coefficient strongly depends on the corresponding location of the melting zone interface. The heat transfer characteristics of liquid flow with MEPCM are presented as well.