Lattice Boltzmann investigation of the solid-liquid phase change process in a cavity with protruding heater

• Published in: International journal of thermal sciences Vol. 122; pp. 292 - 301
• Main Authors: Huo, Yutao, Rao, Zhonghao
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Masson SAS 01.12.2017
• Subjects: Inclination angle; Lattice boltzmann method; Phase change material; Protruding heater; Solid-liquid phase change; Solid-liquid phase change; Phase change material; Inclination angle; Protruding heater; Lattice boltzmann method
• ISSN: 1290-0729; 1778-4166
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijthermalsci.2017.09.004

The solid-liquid phase change process in a cavity with protruding heater is of significant importance to application of phase change material (PCM). In this paper, the phase change lattice Boltzmann (LB) model has been applied and the effects of heater and inclination angle of cavity on phase change process are investigated. The results show that moving the protruding heater is able to change the temperature distribution and location of solid-liquid interface. The phase change process can be accelerated by moving the heater to middle region of cavity. Decreasing the distance between heater and cavity upper wall enhances the flow obstruction, and reduces the heat transferred through upper and right walls of heater. Furthermore, rotating the cavity changes the distance of flow from heater to cavity. Increasing inclination angle from 30° to 45° enhances the heat transfer rate of heater's upper wall and weakens that of heater's right wall. •Moving the heater to the middle region can accelerate the phase change process.•Moving the heater upward decreases the heat transfer rate through upper wall of heater.•Changing the angle from 30° to 45° enhances the heat transfer rate of heater's upper wall.