蓄冷球凝固的FLUENT数值模拟研究

利用计算流体力学软件FLUENT凝固/熔化模型对一种相变材料蓄冷球的凝固过程进行数值模拟研究,得到了在第一类边界条件下蓄冷球凝固过程的温度场分布、相界面移动规律,并分析了凝固时间与壁面温度和球径的关系。所得到的结论对相变问题的数值模拟以及相变蓄能装置的设计具有重要的参考价值。     

Hierarchical graphene foam-based phase change materials with enhanced thermal conductivity and shape stability for efficient solar-to-thermal energy conversion and storage

Recently,graphene foam (GF) with a three-dimensional (3D) interconnected network produced by template-directed chemical vapor deposition (CVD) has been used to prepare composite phase-change materials (PCMs) with enhanced thermal conductivity.However,the pore size of GF is as large as hundreds of micrometers,resulting in a remarkable thermal resistance for heat transfer from the PCM inside the large pores to the GF strut walls.In this study,a novel 3D hierarchical GF (HGF) is obtained by filling the pores of GF with hollow graphene networks.The HGF is then used to prepare a paraffin wax (PW)-based composite PCM.The thermal conductivity of the PW/HGF composite PCM is 87％ and 744％ higher than that of the PW/GF composite PCM and pure PW,respectively.The PW/HGF composite PCM also exhibits better shape stability than the PW/GF composite PCM,negligible change in the phase-change temperature,a high thermal energy storage density that is 95％ of pure PW,good thermal reliability,and chemical stability with cycling for 100 times.More importantly,PW/HGF composite PCM allows light-driven thermal energy storage with a high light-to-thermal energy conversion and storage efficiency,indicating its great potential for applications in solar-energy utilization and storage.     

泡沫铜相变材料在运血车中的储能应用研究

为解决运血车制冷机组反复启停和耗能大的问题,提出了采用泡沫铜相变储能管顺排布置于风道的方案.针对储能管进行了相变储能实验,获得了相变材料温度-时间的变化曲线.针对储能管和运血车风道系统建立了相应的数学模型和物理模型,采用数值模拟方法研究了储能管相变过程和风道加装储能管后的流场和温度场分布.最后对实验结果和仿真结果进行了对比.结果表明,加装泡沫铜相变储能装置可以改善运血车制冷机组的性能.研究结果对泡沫铜相变材料的应用和运血车制冷系统改进具有重要的工程意义.     

Impact of thermoelectric phenomena on phase-change memory performance metrics and scaling

The coupled transport of heat and electrical current, or thermoelectric phenomena, can strongly influence the temperature distribution and figures of merit for phase-change memory (PCM). This paper simulates PCM devices with careful attention to thermoelectric transport and the resulting impact on programming current during the reset operation. The electrothermal simulations consider Thomson heating within the phase-change material and Peltier heating at the electrode interface. Using representative values for the Thomson and Seebeck coefficients extracted from our past measurements of these properties, we predict a cell temperature increase of 44% and a decrease in the programming current of 16%. Scaling arguments indicate that the impact of thermoelectric phenomena becomes greater with smaller dimensions due to enhanced thermal confinement. This work estimates the scaling of this reduction in programming current as electrode contact areas are reduced down to 10 nm × 10 nm. Precise understanding of thermoelectric phenomena and their impact on device performance is a critical part of PCM design strategies.     

金属相变储能热风装置提热性能的研究

对金属相变储能热风装置以提热管内空气强制对流和固相区金属材料导热为主的提热过程，采用在轴对称有限区域内由一管形热汇所引起的凝固过程来进行描述，并采用一维准稳态法并结合边界条件对其进行求解，得到该过程中金属材料温度及空气出口温度、固液界面半径、单位管径的热流密度、单管提热强度等与提热半径、空气流速及时间的关系。     

Use of PCM Boards for Solar Cell Cooling

This contribution explains the use of fractal theory to describe thermal properties of materials. The basic idea is rooted in the theory of fractal fields defined in E-dimensional Euclidian space. Generic equations describing heat distribution are then specialized to describe the changes in heat transfer as a response to step-wise increases in the amount of heat added to the system. This model was then applied to the study of properties of a systems consisting of solar cells attached on a phase-change material (PCM) back sheet board. The aim of this study is to evaluate the ability of PCM boards to decrease the working temperature of solar cells and thus to increase the efficiency of the cells. Regression of experimental data was used to obtain model parameters. The parameters obtained this way were the thermal diffusivity, thermal conductivity, and specific heat, as well as parameters of the heat source and parameters related to the heat losses of the system. The method was then verified against parameters of the system based on poly-methyl-methacrylate and then applied to a PCM with a phase-change temperature of 25 °C. The values of the thermal parameters were determined at temperatures where both components of the PCM composite (Micronal^® and gypsum wall) were solid and below the phase-change temperature and then again at temperatures where one of the components (gypsum) was still solid, while the other one was already liquid (wax). The attempt to determine the parameters during the phase change was not made due the physicochemical processes taking place which would alter the measured data.     

Multiphysics design optimization model for structural walls incorporating phase-change materials

The development of energy-efficient building envelopes has been an ongoing effort in many countries owing to the pressing need to achieve energy independence. In this study numerical optimization techniques and finite element analysis provide the means to find a compromise point between adding phase-change materials (PCMs) to a concrete wall, the energy savings and the wall's structural capacity. The primary objective is to minimize the overall lifetime cost of a wall by understanding the implications of PCM layer thickness, material properties and position in the wall on the overall energy consumption. While it is difficult to manually configure a typical wall for the lowest total cost, the developed computational framework provides an automated tool for searching for the best design. The results show that successful designs can be obtained where material and energy costs can be minimized through a judicious combination of existing building materials with thermal energy storage materials.     

一种新型复合相变材料导热性能的实验研究

针对相变材料在实际应用过程中交替存在升温液化和降温固化的复杂传热过程,采用JW-Ⅲ建筑材料热流计式导热仪,分别对升温和降温过程中处于固态、混合态、液态的新型复合相变材料导热性能进行了测试和分析。研究结果表明,复合相变材料在加热和冷却过程中的导热系数随温度的变化存在明显的规律性差异,导热系数在混合态时差值达到20%;升温过程中,复合相变材料在混合态和液态时的导热系数值相差不大,但与固态时相比有明显减小;降温过程中,在液-固相变的过程中导热系数随温度减小而增大,有利于加速相变材料的固化。     

Synthesis and infrared property of polyaniline/phase-change nanocapsule composite

A composite of polyaniline (PANI) and nanoencapsulated phase-change material (PCM) with polystyrene (PS) as the shell and n-octadecane as the core was synthesized using the ultrasonic technique assisted by in situ polymerization. The composite's morphology, structure, and thermal properties were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The results showed that the surface of the PCM nanocapsules was covered with PANI. The phase-change temperature of the nanocapsules of PCM and the composite was slightly lower than that of n-octadecane. Their latent heat was less than the calculated value based on the mass ratio of n-octadecane measured by TGA. The infrared emission properties of PANI, the phase-change nanocapsule, and the composite were studied using an IR-II infrared emissivity instrument and an infrared camera. It was found that the infrared emissivity of the composite was appreciably higher than that of PANI. However, the composite showed lower temperature than the PANI when observed by infrared camera with the increasing ambient temperature around the n-octadecane phase-change temperature. This occurred because the phase-change material in the composite absorbs so much heat that infrared emissions were obviously decreased when the ambient temperature rose.     

冰球式蓄冰罐蓄冷过程的数值研究

建立了冰球式蓄冰罐蓄冷过程的数值仿真模型,冰球侧采用焓方程模型并考虑了冰球内水的过冷现象。求解此模型可以得出蓄冷过程中任意时刻冰球内部温度分布、冰层厚度以及蓄冰罐内载冷剂温度分布。进行了三组工况的计算,求解结果与实验结果吻合较好,模型可用于模拟仿真以及冰球式蓄冰罐的性能研究。     

Phase-Change Characteristic Analysis of Partially Melted Sodium Acetate Trihydrate Using DSC

Sodium acetate trihydrate (SAT), which is a kind of phase-change material, offers high potential for application in thermal energy storage. However, SAT has a natural tendency to supercool during its solidification process. Adding nucleating agents has been suggested as a possible solution. In this paper, the phase-change characteristics of the partially melted SAT were analyzed using a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). A phenomenon related to SAT undergoing phase change was discovered and analyzed. The results showed that if SAT were cooled when it was partially melted, it would release heat and quickly solidify without adding any nucleating agents. Therefore, if the temperature range of SAT was controlled properly, supercooling could be significantly prevented.     

Performance enhancement of a household refrigerator by addition of latent heat storage

This paper studies the effect of adding a phase change material (PCM) slab on the outside face of a refrigerator evaporator. A dynamic model of the vapour compression cycle including the presence of the phase change material and its experimental validation is presented. The simulation results of the system with PCM show that the addition of thermal inertia globally enhances heat transfer from the evaporator and allows a higher evaporating temperature, which increases the energy efficiency of the system. The energy stored in the PCM is yielded to the refrigerator cell during the off cycle and allows for several hours of continuous operation without power supply.     

Preparation and Thermodynamic Properties of Camphene/Stearic Acid Composites as Phase-Change Materials in Buildings

In this study, a series of shape-stabilized phase-change materials (PCMs) of camphene/stearic acid (CS) were prepared and their thermal properties were measured by differential scanning calorimetry. The results indicated that the mixture consisting of 60 mass% camphene and 40 mass% stearic acid is the most favorable as a PCM, in terms of the phase-change temperature and latent heat. Thereafter, the CS was absorbed in fly ash, pyroclastic, barite, and marble powder, which acts as a supporting material, to prepare four kinds of composite-based PCMs. DSC, FT-IR, and scanning electron microscopy measurements were made to investigate the structures and properties of the PCMs. DSC results showed that the latent heats of melting and freezing of the composite PCMs were sharply decreased. Morphology and structural characterization revealed that, in form-stable PCMs, the dispersion of the supporting materials in the camphene/stearic acid matrix is homogeneous and there is no chemical interaction between the CS and composites. The composite PCMs showed excellent thermal stabilities and reliabilities, when their phase-change temperatures were concerned. These indicate that the prepared composite-based PCMs are suitable for thermal energy storage because of their applicable temperature range, thermal reliability, and chemical stability.     

Analysis of Fracture in High-Temperature Vacuum Tube Furnace

High-temperature vacuum tube furnace (HTVTF) is widely used for processing materials, developing new materials, and sintering various types of material under vacuum or gaseous conditions. A growing concern in engineering research communities and industries is that fracture occurs in the alumina tube after the furnace has run for few hours and this lead to a drainage of huge amount of money when the buyers replace the tube every time. To improve furnace tube longevity and performance in extreme temperature conditions, it is critical to determine the phenomena that take place inside the furnace and cylindrical alumina tube wall. In the present work, mathematical models are developed to understand the effect of stress concentration arising from thermal stresses in tube wall and heat-affected-zones (HAZ) of a HTVTF using multiphysics finite element software Comsol (Stockholm, Sweden). The combination of thermal stress with temperature difference determines the fracture region. Different air flow rates have been considered to find the critical thermal stress region inside the vacuum tube. Analysis suggests that lowering air flow rate and inserting a small copper pipe inside the first block to blow hot air on the second heat-affected zone (HAZ-2) will reduce thermal stress generation inside the tube and prevent the eventual fracture of the vacuum tube. It is expected that this study can lead to a better understanding of the complex phenomena of fracture alumina tube during operation of HTVTF.     

Phase-change thermal energy storage using spherical capsules: performance of a test plant

The aim of this paper is the study of an industrial process of energy storage usable for air conditioning or refrigeration, investigating a test plant which is a tank with a reduced size, filled with randomly dispersed commercial nodules, placed in a refrigeration loop. The nodules are spherical capsules in which phase change materials (PCM) are encapsulated. This test plant permits the study at length of the behaviour of the tank with, in particular, the charge mode taking into account the undercooling and the discharge mode. A simulation program that considers aspects of both the surrounding heat transfer fluid and the phase-change material packed inside the nodules is developed here in the cases of the charge and the discharge processes. The simulation results are then compared with experimental observations.     

Apparent Thermal Properties of Phase-Change Materials: An Analysis Using Differential Scanning Calorimetry and Impulse Method

Thermal properties of newly developed plaster based on hydrated lime, metakaolin, and paraffinic wax enclosed in polymer micro-capsules are studied in the article. At first, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) is applied on Micronal PCM capsules for determination of the temperature interval of thawing and solidification. Then, the initial temperature of the phase change and specific heat capacity of the plaster are measured by DSC. The thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity are determined by an impulse method. For comparative reasons, the properties of lime-based plaster without PCM are studied as well. The obtained results demonstrate the enhanced heat storage capacity of the studied material that can be used for application in lightweight building envelope systems.     

石蜡/膨胀石墨复合相变储热材材料的性能研究

以石蜡为相变材料、膨胀石墨为支撑结构,利用膨胀石墨的多孔吸附特性,制备出了石蜡含量90%(质量分数)的石蜡/膨胀石墨复合相变储热材料.采用扫描电镜(SEM)、偏光显微镜(PM)、X射线衍射(XRD)及差示扫描量热分析(DSC)对复合相变储热材料的结构和性能进行了表征.结果表明,膨胀石墨吸附石蜡后仍然保持了原来疏松多孔的蠕虫状形态,石蜡被膨胀石墨微孔所吸附,在石蜡质量含量为90%时仍保持定型特性;复合相变储热材料没有形成新物质,其相变温度与石蜡相似,相变焓与基于复合材料中石蜡含量的相变焓计算值相当.     

A least-squares front-tracking finite element method analysis of phase change with natural convection

This paper focuses on the numerical modelling of phase-change processes with natural convection. In particular, two-dimensional solidification and melting problems are studied for pure metals using an energy preserving deforming finite element model. The transient Navier–Stokes equations for incompressible fluid flow are solved simultaneously with the transient heat flow equations and the Stefan condition. A least-squares variational finite element method formulation is implemented for both the heat flow and fluid flow equations. The Boussinesq approximation is used to generate the bulk fluid motion in the melt. The mesh motion and mesh generation schemes are performed dynamically using a transfinite mapping. The consistent penalty method is used for modelling incompressibility. The effect of natural convection on the solid/liquid interface motion, the solidification rate and the temperature gradients is found to be important. The proposed method does not possess some of the false diffusion problems associated with the standard Galerkin formulations and it is shown to produce accurate numerical solutions for convection dominated phase-change problems.     

泡沫石墨/石蜡复合相变储热材料的调温隔热性能

采用多次真空灌注方法将石蜡吸附到多孔的泡沫石墨中,制备出了泡沫石墨/石蜡复合相变储热材料。利用Hot Disk热常数分析仪和差示扫描量热分析(DSC)对该复合材料的热性能进行了测试,结果表明,石蜡充分吸附到泡沫石墨的蜂窝状微孔中,泡沫石墨的填充极大地强化了相变材料的导热能力。研究了将该复合材料用作墙体围护结构时的隔热和调温性能,并与普通轻质墙体材料作围护结构进行了对比,结果表明,复合相变储热材料能够有效地利用昼夜温差进行储热放热,有效地阻止了热量进入室内,可明显降低室内温度波动和最大值,提高人体舒适度,具有较好的调温隔热效果。     

Solidification of phase change material on vertical cylindrical surface in holdup air bubbles

Solidification of phase change material around a vertical cylindrical surface was studied to investigate the performance of ice storage system and stored thermal energy. Air bubbles were generated in the phase change material at various air flow rate as a gas holdup to enhance the heat transfer rate and accelerate the ice layer growth at the solid–liquid interface. The test tube surface was cooled by ethylene glycol–water solution at a flow rate of 40% concentration by weight. The ice layer growth and solidification front velocity at solid–liquid interface were estimated from the temperature–time recorded data of a set of thermocouples fixed in a radial position perpendicular to cooled surface. The ice layer growth at the first instants of solidification process is much higher. Thereafter it decreased gradually according to the increasing of thermal resistance of ice layer. The increasing of ethylene glycol–water solution mass flow rate seems to accelerate the solidification process with small rate. The effect of air bubbles agitation was found to increase the ice layer growth rate and solidification front velocity by about of 20–45%. As a consequence the stored thermal energy was increased by about 55–115% with increasing air bubbles flow according to the attribute of generates turbulence at the solid–liquid interface. The measured data showed that with stirring the bulk water in energy storage tank, the storage time can be reduced by 10–35% of that without stirring.