Volume 51

Numerical Simulation of PCM Melting Characteristics in a Rectangular Container with Non-Uniform Longitudinal Fins Added at the Bottom Region Hua-Yang Liu, Jian-Peng Chen, Bei-Cheng Qu, You-Rong Li

Abstract

This paper employs a 3D numerical simulation to investigate the effect of various non-uniform longitudinal fins at the bottom region of a rectangular container on natural convection and RT42 phase change material (PCM) melting characteristics. Using a container with rectangular fins as a baseline, the influence of the geometric structure and arrangement of the fins on PCM melting characteristics is explored by varying the heights of the left (Ll) and right (Lr) non-uniform fins. The results indicate that adding non-uniform longitudinal fins at the bottom enhances the heat transfer of PCM at the bottom and corners of the container, significantly reducing melting time and improving temperature uniformity and heat storage rate. Optimal performance is achieved when Ll = 3 mm and Lr = 7 mm, with a reduction in melting time by 27.5% and an increase in heat storage rate by 37.3% compared to the baseline case.

Keywords non-uniform longitudinal fin, rectangular container, phase change material, numerical simulation