Numerical study of melting process in a square cavity heated by different surfaces

A numerical study of melting process of a phase change material contained in a square cavity heated from different surface is presented. The characteristics of phase change interface and melt fraction varied with time are studied. The dominated modes of heat transfer by different heating surfaces are presented and discussed. The results show that the conduction mode of heat transfer is dominant throughout the melting process heated by top surface; early during the melting process heated by bottom surface, the conduction mode of heat transfer is dominant, then the convection is strengthened due to the growth of the melt zone. For the process heated by side-below surfaces, melting in the top region of the cavity with convection mode of heat transfer is much faster than in the bottom region with the conduction mode. As the convection mode of heat transfer is dominant throughout the melting process heated by side-up surfaces, it melts fastest among these conditions.