Interactions between hybrid nanosized particles and convection melting inside an enclosure with partially active walls: 2D lattice Boltzmann‐based numerical investigation

Abstract

The ice melting is investigated inside a square cavity with two isothermally partially active walls. The concept of dispersing hybrid alumina–Cu nanoparticles and hybrid silica–multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) nanoparticles is recommended for thermal performance enhancement in this thermal energy storage (TES) system. The two‐dimensional explicit lattice Boltzmann convection melting scheme in the single‐phase model is applied to account for the natural convection flow induced in the melt region and evolution of the solid–liquid interface. The complete melting time for the pure phase change material (PCM) using case (II) is 33.3% lower compared with other cases. If the price of hybrid Al2O3–Cu nanoparticles and heat storage capacity is important, the full melt time diminishes by 16.6% with a volume fraction of 0.01 in case (II). Once hybrid silica–MWCNT nanoparticles with a volume fraction of 0.01 are utilized inside case (II), the lowest charging time is achieved. The complete melting time abates by 23.66% in contrast to the pure PCM melting. The use of single/hybrid nanoparticles to enhance the PCM melting is not necessarily economical as efficient positions of active parts could further lessen the charging time. The efficiency of hybrid nanoparticles is linked to the type and weight proportions of nanoparticles, and positions of thermally active parts.

Improvement of the heat transfer quality by air cooling of three‐heated obstacles in a horizontal channel using the lattice Boltzmann method

“…The Lattice Boltzmann Method (LBM) offered an important advantage to simulate complex physical phenomena to understand the physical mechanism. [19][20][21][22] This alternative method is characterized by its accuracy, flexibility, and simplicity to simulate the heat transfer and fluid flow compared with conventional CFD methods. Pirouz et al 23 used LBM to investigate the conjugate thermal transfer in a horizontal channel containing obstacles with taking into consideration the impact of the conductivity ratio and Reynolds number.…”

“…They detailed that the variation of the thickness of the moving plate and the Reynolds number has a strong effect on the heat transfer rate. The Lattice Boltzmann Method (LBM) offered an important advantage to simulate complex physical phenomena to understand the physical mechanism 19–22 . This alternative method is characterized by its accuracy, flexibility, and simplicity to simulate the heat transfer and fluid flow compared with conventional CFD methods.…”