Experimental and Numerical Study on the Melting Acceleration of Phase Change Material by Ultrasonic Vibrations

摘要

The present study was investigated on the melting phenomena and the accelerative factors of phase change material (PCM) by acoustic streaming induced ultrasonic vibrations. To investigate the melting phenomena and accelerative factors, the experimental study was measured the liquid temperature and melting time of PCM and was observed the velocity vectors and thermal fluid flow induced acoustic streaming to investigate the heat transfer using particle image velocimetry (PIV) and infrared thermo vision camera, respectively. Also, the numerical study based on a coupled finite element-boundary element method (Coupled FE-BEM) was performed to investigate the analysis of pressure field in the PCM. The results of experimental works revealed that acoustic streaming observed by PIV and infrared thermo vision camera is one of the prime effects accelerating phase change heat transfer. And, the final temperature of PCM is lower and melting speed is 2.6 times faster than that without ultrasonic vibrations when ultrasonic vibrations are applied. The results of numerical work presented that acoustic pressure is higher near the ultrasonic transducer than other points where no ultrasonic transducer was installed and develops more intensive flow such as acoustic streaming, destroying the flow instability. Moreover, the profile of acoustic pressure variation is consistent with that of enhancement of heat transfer.