Investigation of melting in a vertical circular tube: Local heat fluxes

H. Shmueli, G. Ziskind, R. Letan

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

The present study explores the process of melting of a phase change material (PCM) in a vertical circular tube. A detailed analysis of the digital experimental pictures, obtained in previous investigations, is performed. In this analysis, the tubes are subdivided by horizontal planes into lcm high slices. The melt fraction as a function of time is calculated separately for each slice, yielding the local heat transfer rates into the solid. The flow patterns that cause these effects are obtained from the numerical simulation. The simulation provides a detailed heat flux distribution on the inner wall of the tube. The numerical simulations, performed using the Fluent 6 software, model the same commercially available paraffin-type material that was used in the previous experimental investigations.. The simulation results, along with the analysis of the experimental pictures, reveal the effects of convection in the liquid phase, which make heat transfer from the wall to the melting PCM essentially non-radial. Thus, the analysis adopted in the present study provides a comprehensive picture of melting in vertical circular tubes at various locations and instants.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication2008 Proceedings of the ASME Summer Heat Transfer Conference, HT 2008
Pages511-515
Number of pages5
StatePublished - 21 Sep 2009
Event2008 ASME Summer Heat Transfer Conference, HT 2008 - Jacksonville, FL, United States
Duration: 10 Aug 200814 Aug 2008

Publication series

Name2008 Proceedings of the ASME Summer Heat Transfer Conference, HT 2008
Volume2

Conference

Conference2008 ASME Summer Heat Transfer Conference, HT 2008
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityJacksonville, FL
Period10/08/0814/08/08

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Fluid Flow and Transfer Processes
  • Mechanical Engineering

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Investigation of melting in a vertical circular tube: Local heat fluxes'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this