Finite element method (FEM) analyses of the entropy and convective process within an inclined porous T-shaped domain using nano-encapsulated phase change materials (NEPCMs)

Numerical treatments based on the finite element method (FEM) are carried out for the entropy generation and convective process within inclined T-shaped enclosures using the nano-encapsulated phase change materials (NEPCMs). The domain is filled by glass balls as a porous medium and the Brinkman-extended non-Darcy model is applied. For the worked mixture, the overall heat capacity of the encapsulated nanoparticles is estimated using the heat capacity of the core and shell and sine profiles are introduced for the latent heat of the change phase. Three different designs are performed for the considered geometry based on the aspect ratio of the boundaries. During the simulations, various values of the fusion temperature tf(0.05 <= tf <= 0.95)${t_f}\;( {0.05 \le {t_f} \le 0.95} )$, the inclination angle gamma (0 <=gamma <=pi/2)$( {0 \le \gamma \le \pi /2} )$ and different designs of the considered domain (D1,D2,D3)$( {{D_1},\;{D_2},\;{D_3}} )$ are taken into account and the Ryleigh-Darcy number Ram$R{a_m}$ is varied between 10(2) and 10(4). The main outcomes disclosed that, for the fixed values of Ram(Ram=100)$R{a_m}\;( {\;R{a_m} = \;100} )$ and gamma (gamma=pi 3)$\gamma \; = \frac{\pi }{3})$, the increase in the fusion temperature tf${t_f}$ causes a shifting of the melting-solidification zones from the top boundary to the bottom of the horizontal channel.

Automated summary

Numerical treatments based on the finite element method are conducted to study the entropy generation and convective process in inclined T-shaped enclosures using nano-encapsulated phase change materials. Different designs and parameters are considered, and it is found that increasing the fusion temperature shifts the melting-solidification zones.