Numerical study of melting in a square annulus

The present study explores numerically the process of melting of phase-change material in a square annulus. Transient numerical simulations are performed with the constant tube wall temperature and the adiabatic shell. Temperature distributions, detailed phase fields within the melt, melt fraction and heat flux at the heating surface are presented and discussed. These simulations show the melting process have different heat transfer mode at different locations of the phase-change material. The top part of phase-change material melts faster than the bottom. This study provides guidelines for system thermal performance and design optimization.