Effect of finned-tube on the enhancement of melting process of PCM in eccentric cylinders

Abstract

The process of melting of a phase-change material (PCM) in eccentric horizontal cylinders geometry is studied numerically. Numerical simulations are performed for symmetric melting of phase change material between the two cylinders using the finite volume method. The inner cylinder is a finned-tube to enhance the heat transfer between the inner cylinder and the PCM. Inner cylindrical is considered as hot wall while outer is insulated. These simulations show the melting process from the beginning to the end. As result, it is found that the use of fins on the inner tube increases the melting process by decreasing the time of melting by 72.72 %.