Numerical modeling for transient heat transfer of PCM with inclusion of nanomaterial

To expedite the process of reaching ice from liquid water, copper oxide nanoparticles have been utilized in this research. Influence of shape of particles on rate of process has been scrutinized. The solidification cannot be influenced by velocity of liquid water; thus, the governing equation is simplified. The final model has two equations, and Galerkin method was selected to simulate the process. The configuration of the mesh depends on the location of the ice front in modeling, and verification tests show a good agreement. With the addition of CuO nanoparticles, the speed of the ice front increases about 26.85%. Considering higher shape factor can lead to faster processes and time reduces about 6.97%. Impact of the shape factor on solidification is less than concentration of nano-powders.