Experimental and numerical studies on melting phase change heat transfer in open-cell metallic foams filled with paraffin

In the current study, the melting phase change heat transfer in paraffin-saturated in open-celled metallic foams was experimentally and numerically studied. The experiments were conducted with seven high-porosity copper metal foam samples (ɛ ≥ 90%), and paraffin was applied as the phase-change material (PCM). The wall and inner temperature distribution inside the foam were measured during the melting process. The effects of foam morphology parameters, including porosity and pore density, on the wall temperature and the temperature uniformity inside the foam were investigated. The melting heat transfer is enhanced by the high thermal conductivity foam matrix, although its existence suppresses the local natural convection. A numerical model considering the non-Darcy effect, local natural convection, and thermal non-equilibrium was proposed. The velocity, temperature field, and evolution of the solid–liquid interface location at various times were predicted. The numerically predicted results are in good agreement with the experimental findings. The model as well as the feasibility and necessity of the applied two-equation model were further validated.

► Porous metallic foam can enhance PCM melting heat transfer.
► Heat conduction prevailed in the foam-PCM composites.
► Temperature uniformity was augmented by decreasing pore density or porosity.
► A model with non-Darcy effect, convection, thermal non-equilibrium was proposed.