The Influence of Heat Source Orientation on PCM Flow Behavior During Phase Transition

The present study reports the characterization of the transient flow behavior in the liquid PCM domain during the melting process, initiated by a planer heat source. Experiments were conducted at three angles of inclination of the heat source (0, 8 and 18-degrees) from the vertical. Paraffin wax was used as the PCM and was enclosed in an insulated, optically clear, thin rectangular chamber. Particle image velocimetry (PIV) was used during the melting process to measure the instantaneous velocity of the PCM and obtain two-dimensional velocity fields within the liquid domain. Results clearly show the presence of a dominant recirculation zone occurring at all angles. This recirculation zone was enhanced by an increase in the inclination of the heat source, supporting a direct correlation between the tilt angle and the bulk fluid flow in the melted region. The melting rate decreased with the progression of time for all investigated cases. A growing region of stagnant fluid flow within the center of the recirculation zone contributed to the reduction in the melt rate. The size of this stagnant region decreased with increases in the tilt angle due to the enhancement of natural convection. The data demonstrates significant changes in transient flow behavior with orientation in the liquid PCM domain. These results further our understanding of the phase change and associated heat transfer processes in PCM and have wide applicability to PCM-based thermal energy storage.