Visualization experiment and numerical study of latent heat storage unit using micro-heat pipe arrays: Melting process

This study conducts experimental visualization and numerical study on the melting of phase change material (PCM) in a rectangular enclosure of a latent heat storage unit based on micro-heat pipe arrays. The solid-liquid interface and temperature distribution in the melting of PCM are recorded by photographic observation and data measurement. Numerical results based on the enthalpy-porosity model are validated by using experimental results. The effects of enclosure geometry on the melting process of PCM are numerically explored. The transition point of a pure conduction mode into the natural convection mode is analyzed by comparing the results obtained in the numerical simulation with and without considering thermal convection. The correlations of the transient heat transfer and the melting rate in the pure conduction and natural convection modes are determined through the analysis of the different heat transfer characteristics in both stages. The results are expected to provide guidance for the design of latent heat storage units using micro-heat pipe arrays in engineering applications. (c) 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.