Near-wall focusing of phase change micro-particles for local heat transfer enhancement

Andrej Lenert, Youngsuk Nam, Matthew W. Thoms, Bekir S. Yilbas, Evelyn N. Wang

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

We report the effect of confining micron-sized phase-change particles to a layer near the heated wall of a parallel plate channel. We developed a numerical model which assumes fully-developed laminar flow and a constant heat flux applied to one wall. Melting of the confined phase-change particles is incorporated in the model using a spatially-dependent and temperature-dependent effective heat capacity. We investigated the effect of channel height, height of the phase-change particle layer, heat flux, and fluid properties on the peak local Nusselt number (Nu*) and the averaged Nusselt number over the melting length (Numelt). Compared to the base Nusselt number for this geometry (Nuo = 5.385), Numelt and Nu * enhancements were determined to be as high as 15% and 45%, respectively. For a constant mass fraction of particles in the phase-change layer, Numelt is optimized when the phase-change particles are confined to within 35% of the channel width. These studies suggest a strategy to enhance heat transfer with phase change particles for various thermal-fluidic systems.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationHeat and Mass Transport Processes
PublisherAmerican Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
Pages619-626
Number of pages8
EditionPARTS A AND B
ISBN (Print)9780791854969
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2011
EventASME 2011 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, IMECE 2011 - Denver, CO, United States
Duration: 11 Nov 201117 Nov 2011

Publication series

NameASME 2011 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, IMECE 2011
NumberPARTS A AND B
Volume10

Conference

ConferenceASME 2011 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, IMECE 2011
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityDenver, CO
Period11/11/1117/11/11

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