Numerical Simulation for Heat Storage Study of the Microencapsulated Phase Change Material Slurry in a Horizontal Rectangular Enclosure

Two-dimensional numerical simulation of heat storage characteristics in a horizontal rectangular enclosure heated from below by natural convection has been investigated with the microencapsulated phase change material (PCM) slurry. Effects of PCM on heat storage and heat transfer are discussed, in which PCM slurry exhibits the pseudoplastic non-Newtonian fluid behavior and a peak value in the specific heat capacity with latent heat in phase temperature range. And their characteristics between the slurries with and without phase change of PCM are compared in the phase change temperature range. And vertical temperature distributions at the middle position are given. This paper shows streamlines and isotherms in the enclosure for phase change process.