SOLIDIFICATION WITHIN A SPHERICAL ENCLOSURE INCLUDING EFFECTS OF NATURAL CONVECTION

Abstract

This article investigates the thermal performance of the solidification process within a spherical enclosure including effects of natural convection. First, an experimental apparatus utilizing a copper ball filled with octadecane was designed and constructed. Experimental data of temperature profiles was obtained using different coolant temperatures (20, 10, and 0°C), and a numerical analysis using the finite-element method was developed to solve natural-conveclive heat transfer problems with phase change to predict the temperature distribution and phase-front location variation with time. For the solidification process there is substantial agreement between the predictions and the experimental values when initial superheating and lower solidification temperatures exist.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

A. Macias-Machin

Adderss correspondence to A.Macias-Machin,Centro de Aplication Numericas en Ingenieria,Universidad de Las palmas, Edificiom Departmental de Ingenieria,I, Tafira Baja s/n,35017,Las palmas de Gran Canaria,Spain.

N. Wannenmacher

The present adderss of N. Wannenmacher is Chemical Engineering Department,Oregon State University,covallis,Oregon,USA