Abstract
A model is developed for simulation of the laminar hydrodynamic and heat transfer characteristics of suspension flow with micro-nano-size phase-change material (PCM) particles in a microchannel ( D / d p = 12.2–500). The demonstrated simultaneous solutions for the two-phase conservation equations of mass, momentum, and energy allow the investigation of heat transfer enhancement mechanisms and their limits, due to nonthermal equilibrium melting of PCM suspension particles in a flow, such as the existence of a particle-depleted layer, particle–wall interaction, phase-change (melting) region propagation, and local heat transfer coefficients for both constant wall heat flux and constant wall temperature boundary conditions.
Notes
Support from the FIU Foundation and the National Science Foundation (Award 0206028) are greatly appreciated. Special thanks goes to Dr. Busby at Tennessee State University for his continuous support to this research.