Air Bubble Position Effect on Phase Change Material Melting in a Semi-Cylindrical Container: A Thermal Analysis

This study presents a thorough thermal analysis of the impact of air bubble position on the melting of a phase change material (PCM), specifically paraffin wax (RT58), within a semi-cylindrical container. The enthalpy-porosity technique and ANSYS/FLUENT 16 software were employed to conduct a numerical examination of the process. Three distinct air bubble positions were considered for their effects on the melting of paraffin; these positions included the bottom, center, and top of the container. The outcomes from these configurations were compared with a reference case devoid of air bubbles. It was observed that the presence of an air bubble naturally expedited the dissolution process, despite the increased volume of the PCM due to the inclusion of the air bubble. Notably, air bubbles located at the top or bottom of the container were found to reduce the time required for the dissolution process by 6%, compared to when the air bubble was situated at the center of the container. The findings from this study offer potential avenues for enhancing the heat transfer capabilities of PCMs, materials widely employed in diverse applications such as solar energy storage, electronic cooling systems, and building insulation.