Simple analitycal and experimental method of solidification PCM material inside a spherical capsule

The paper presents a simple analytical and experimental methods to solve the problem of solidification, in time and space, a spherical-shaped overheated PCM material. With the special solution of the singularity of the Fourier equation, which occurred in the center of the sphere. Theoretical analysis allowed to create an analytical system of coupled nonlinear differential equations that describes the development of the solidification front and the mean superheat temperature of the liquid over time. The results of theoretical research were obtained by numerically solving the obtained system of equations and the results were presented in the form of graphs. Experimental tests were carried out using PCM materials (RT64HC and water) placed both in a metal sphere, subjected to the solidification process, and the hemisphere covered with a plexiglass plate. The results of analytical and experimental studies have been confirmed by experimental studies carried out and by the other authors.

Automated summary

This paper presents simple analytical and experimental methods to solve the problem of solidification in time and space for a spherical overheated PCM material. Theoretical analysis resulted in a system of coupled nonlinear differential equations describing the development of the solidification front and the mean superheat temperature over time, which were solved numerically. Experimental tests supported and confirmed the results obtained.