Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
7057897 | International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer | 2013 | 7 Pages |
Abstract
In this paper, we present preliminary results of an experimental investigation of melting of nanoparticle-enhanced phase change materials (NePCMs) in a bottom-heated vertical cylindrical cavity. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were dispersed in 1-dodeconal to prepare NePCM samples with various loadings (0Â wt.%, 1Â wt.%, and 2Â wt.%). Thermal conductivity and viscosity of the NePCM samples were measured at their liquid phase. It was shown that melting is decelerated in the presence of the CNTs as a result of the dramatically increased viscosity, leading to significant degradation of natural convection during melting. This overweighs the enhanced heat conduction afforded by the increased thermal conductivity. Such competing effect between the enhanced heat conduction and weakened natural convection determines the melting rate of NePCMs.
Keywords
Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Fluid Flow and Transfer Processes
Authors
Yi Zeng, Li-Wu Fan, Yu-Qi Xiao, Zi-Tao Yu, Ke-Fa Cen,