An experimental investigation of melting of nanoparticle-enhanced phase change materials (NePCMs) in a bottom-heated vertical cylindrical cavity

Journal Name: International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer
Volume: 66
Issue: 0
Page: 111-117
Year: 2013

List of Authors:

Yi Zeng, Li-Wu Fan, Yu-Qi Xiao, Zi-Tao Yu, Ke-Fa Cen

Abstract

n this paper, we present preliminary results of an experimental investigation of melting of nanoparticle- enhanced phase change materials (NePCMs) in a bottom-heated vertical cylindrical cavity. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were dispersed in 1-dodeconal to prepare NePCM samples with various load- ings (0 wt.%, 1 wt.%, and 2 wt.%). Thermal conductivity and viscosity of the NePCM samples were mea- sured at their liquid phase. It was shown that melting is decelerated in the presence of the CNTs as a result of the dramatically increased viscosity, leading to significant degradation of natural convection during melting. This overweighs the enhanced heat conduction afforded by the increased thermal con- ductivity. Such competing effect between the enhanced heat conduction and weakened natural convec- tion determines the melting rate of NePCMs.