Optimal Ratio of Heat Removal Rate to Pumping Power for PCM Emulsion Fluids: Low Reynolds Number Limits

There are many applications where high heat transfer removal rate in a limited tight space are required. The applications include mini and micro-scale channels flows in compact heat exchangers. The increase in heat transfer rate often requires the significant increase in fluid velocity and therefore the increase in the pumping power. One option is to utilize Phase Change Materials (PCM). This study contributes to the further understanding of performance enhancement of an improved heat transfer fluid by studying the optimal ratio of heat removal rate to the fluid pumping power. PCMs have the unique characteristics that can increase the thermal capacity of heat transfer fluids by providing latent heat capacity at a temperature different than the melting point of the carrier fluid. The ratio of heat transfer rate (Q) to fluid pumping power (P) is about twice as that for using pure water without PCM particles. The effectiveness factor (compared to water without PCM) is also doubled. It has been observed that as Re decreases the effective factor increases and Q/P ratio increases, which is also true if the concentration of PCM increases. In this experimental study focuses are on the heat transfer enhancement effects for very low Reynolds number (Re < 180 of pure water velocity) and PCM concentration slurry flow of 10% to 20%. Experimental investigations relevant to PCM slurry flows are carried out. Experimental results indicate that PCM slurry's heat transfer coefficient and apparent specific heat are affected significantly by the phase change process and the slurry mass fraction. It is found that the Q/P ratio primarily is a function of Reynolds number.