Numerical study on melting of paraffin wax with Al2O3 in a square enclosure

The melting of paraffin wax dispersed with Al2O3 that is heated from one side of a square enclosure with dimensions of 25 mm x 25 mm is investigated numerically. The stream function, isotherms and liquid-solid interface at different stages of the melting process are presented and discussed. The effect of orientation of the heating surfaces of a square cavity and the volumetric concentration of Al2O3 in paraffin wax on the melting performance of the latent heat storage system is analysed. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.