"Numerical solution of melting processes for fixed and unfixed phase ch" by Y. Asako, E. Gonçalves et al.
 

Numerical solution of melting processes for fixed and unfixed phase change material in the presence of magnetic field - Simulation of low gravity environment

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Date of Original Version

12-1-2001

Abstract

Transport processes associated with melting of an electrically conducting Phase Change Material (PCM), placed inside a rectangular enclosure, under low-gravity environment, and in the presence of a magnetic field is simulated numerically. Electromagnetic forces damp the natural convection as well as the flow induced by sedimentation and/or floatation, and thereby simulating the low gravity environment of outer space. Computational experiments are conducted for both side-wall heating and top-wall heating under horizontal magnetic field. The governing equations are discretized using a control-volume-based finite difference scheme. Numerical solutions are obtained for true low-gravity environment as well as for the simulated-low-gravity conditions resulted by the presence of a horizontal magnetic field. The effects of magnetic field on the natural convection, solid phase floatation/sedimentation, liquid-solid interface location, solid melting rate, and flow patterns are investigated. It is found that the melting under low-gravity environment can reasonably be simulated on earth via applying a strong horizontal magnetic field. However, the flow patterns obtained for the true low-gravity cases are not similar to the corresponding cases solved for the simulated-low-gravity environment.

Publication Title, e.g., Journal

American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Heat Transfer Division, (Publication) HTD

Volume

369

Issue

5

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