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Effect of heat transfer through an interface on convective melting dynamics of phase change materials

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2023

Berin Šeta Open the ORCID record for Berin Šeta [Opens in a new window] ,
Diana Dubert Open the ORCID record for Diana Dubert [Opens in a new window] ,
Josefa Gavalda Open the ORCID record for Josefa Gavalda [Opens in a new window] ,
Jaume Massons Open the ORCID record for Jaume Massons [Opens in a new window] ,
Mounir M. Bou-Ali Open the ORCID record for Mounir M. Bou-Ali [Opens in a new window] ,
Xavier Ruiz Open the ORCID record for Xavier Ruiz [Opens in a new window]  and
Valentina Shevtsova Open the ORCID record for Valentina Shevtsova [Opens in a new window]
Berin Šeta
Affiliation:
Department of Civil and Mech. Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Produktionstorvet, Lyngby, 2800, Denmark
Diana Dubert
Affiliation:
Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, 43003, Spain
Josefa Gavalda
Affiliation:
Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, 43003, Spain
Jaume Massons
Affiliation:
Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, 43003, Spain
Mounir M. Bou-Ali
Affiliation:
Fluid Mechanics Group, Faculty of Engineering, Mondragon University, Loramendi 4, 20500 Mondragon, Spain
Xavier Ruiz
Affiliation:
Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, 43003, Spain
Valentina Shevtsova*
Affiliation:
Fluid Mechanics Group, Faculty of Engineering, Mondragon University, Loramendi 4, 20500 Mondragon, Spain IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, 48009 Spain
*
†Email address for correspondence: x.vshevtsova@mondragon.edu
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Abstract

The presence of thermocapillary (Marangoni) convection in microgravity may help to enhance the heat transfer rate of phase change materials (PCMs) in space applications. We present a three-dimensional numerical investigation of the nonlinear dynamics of a melting PCM placed in a cylindrical container filled with n-octadecane and surrounded by passive air. The heat exchange between the PCM and ambient air is characterized in terms of the Biot number, when the air temperature has a linear profile. The effect of thermocapillary convection on heat transfer and the topology of the melting front is studied by varying the applied temperature difference between the circular supports and the heat transfer through the interface. The evolution of Marangoni convection during the PCM melting leads to the appearance of hydrothermal instabilities. A new mathematical approach for the nonlinear analysis of emerging hydrothermal waves (HTWs) is suggested. Being applied for the first time to the examination of PCMs, this procedure allows us to explore the nature of the coupling between HTWs and heat gain/loss through the interface, and how it changes over time. We observe a variety of dynamics, including standing and travelling waves, and determine their dominant and secondary azimuthal wavenumbers. Coexistence of multiple travelling waves with different wavenumbers, rotating in the same or opposite directions, is among the most fascinating observations.

JFM classification

Convection: Marangoni convection Instability: Nonlinear instability Interfacial Flows (free surface): Liquid bridges
Type
JFM Papers
Information
Journal of Fluid Mechanics , Volume 966 , 10 July 2023 , A46
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2023. Published by Cambridge University Press

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Šeta et al. Supplementary Movie 1

The temporal evolution of the flow pattern and trajectories of the dynamic system in the phase plane at ΔT = 25K when Biot number, Bi = 1. A traveling wave with azimuthal wavenumber m=2 loses energy in favor of a traveling wave with m=1.
Download Šeta et al. Supplementary Movie 1(Video)
Video 9.7 MB

Šeta et al. Supplementary Movie 2

The temporal evolution of the flow pattern and trajectories of the dynamic system in the phase plane at ΔT = 40K when Biot number, Bi = 1. Interplay of traveling waves with azimuthal wavenumber m=1, 2 and 3.

Download Šeta et al. Supplementary Movie 2(Video)
Video 9 MB

Šeta et al. Supplementary Movie 3

The temporal evolution of the flow pattern and trajectories of the dynamic system in the phase plane at ΔT = 40K when Biot number, Bi = 2. Interplay of standing and traveling waves with azimuthal wavenumber m=1, 2 and 3.

Download Šeta et al. Supplementary Movie 3(Video)
Video 7.7 MB