Study on melting promotion by metal wire in heat storage capsules

Abstract

Effect of metal wire immersed in cylindrical capsules on melting of solid phase by forced convection was studied by flow visualization technique. Experiment was compared with numerical analysis. Melting time agreed with the numerical results obtained by the use of non-uniform heat transfer coefficient on the capsule surface of small diameter. Metal wire decreases the surface temperature of the capsules and suppresses natural convection in the capsules. Finally, increase in effective thermal conductivity due to metal wire reduces melting time of the phase change fluid. The shape of the solid liquid boundary became more concentric by inserting the metal wire.