On the expedited melting of phase change material (PCM) through dispersion of nanoparticles in the thermal storage unit

Heat transfer enhancement of phase change material (PCM) during the charging (melting) process is crucial in thermal energy storage (TES) systems. This study presents the enthalpy-based lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) simulation of ice melting enhanced through dispersion of Cu-nanoparticles in annuli. A double distribution function (DDF) model is used to solve the convection–diffusion equation including nonlinear convection and isotropic diffusion terms. The simulations are carried out under the following conditions: Pr=6.2,Ste=1,Ra=2×105Pr=6.2,Ste=1,Ra=2×105. The effects of nanoparticles volume fraction and the position of the hot cylinder on the temperature contour, streamline and full melting time are illustrated.