Solidification analysis of a single particle with encapsulated phase change materials

► Inward solidification model of a sphere for a single encapsulated phase change material particle is built. ► An effective numerical method is developed and validated by an iterative analytical series solution. ► The evolution of solidification and the moving front surface are predicted for different size particles. ► The model explains the rapid solidification of microencapsulated Paraffin particles under small Stefan numbers.