Abstract
Improvement and uniformalization of melting from a vertical heated plate imbedded in a paraffin (n-octadecane) was experimentally studied by using fins. The shapes of melting front was determined photographically for (1) without fins, (2) solid-type fins and (3) perforated fins and the melting rate was compared with each other. The size of fins is short at the upper part of a vertical heated plate and is long at the lower part of the plate considering on the effect of natural convection. The melting is enhanced for the perforated fins whose holes contact to the heated plate. Solid-type fins have an extended surface effect, but natural convection is depressed with melting. In the case of perforated fins, melted liquid moves through the holes. Therefore, the effect is remarkable near the lower section of the vertical heated plate.
