Numerical and experimental evaluation of phase change material immersed in metallic foam gradient

• Grant number: 24/00620-3
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: August 01, 2024
• End date: July 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Mechanical Engineering - Thermal Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Edemar Morsch Filho
• Grantee: Edemar Morsch Filho
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia. Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus Experimental São João da Boa Vista. São João da Boa Vista , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Elaine Maria Cardoso ; Kleber Vieira de Paiva

Abstract

Phase change materials (PCM) are used for passive thermal control of processes, through their latent heat of fusion. However, its low thermal conductivity is a parameter that limits the wider application of this technology. One possibility that significantly improves PCM performance is its immersion in metallic foams, as these increase the effective thermal conductivity of the assembly and promote higher melting rates. Another more sophisticated technique that promotes even more attractive results is the use of a metallic foam gradient. This gradient may occur due to the use of different materials for the metallic foam, as well as different porosities and pores per inch along its length. However, the application of a foam gradient must take into account the orientation of the heat source in order to extract the best thermal response, which is a topic that still lacks studies in the literature. Therefore, this research project proposes the experimental and numerical investigation of heat transfer in a phase change material immersed in a metallic foam gradient, considering the impact of the heat source orientation on the thermal performance of the assembly. (AU)