On the Contact Heat Transfer with Melting : 4th Report, Direct-Contact Melting Process within an Inclined Rectangular Cross Section

Abstract

Experimental and analytical investigations were performed on a direct-contact melting process of a phase change material (PCM) which was contained in an inclined rectangular space surrounded by a heat-transfer surface and plate fins. The solid phase varied its shape, receiving the latent heat of fusion from the surrounding walls at the contacting spots, and moved within the rectangular space, changing the contacting mode. The numerical method to simulate such a direct-contact melting process was proposed. Experiments were also carried out to examine the numerical method, using N-octadecane as the PCM. The experimental and analytical results agreed quite well with each other. It was found from the analytical results that the inclination angle scarcely affected the average melting rate despite the serious effects on the contacting mode and the heat flux distribution over the walls.