Lattice Boltzmann investigation for enhancing the thermal conductivity of ice using Al₂O₃ porous matrix

Abstract

An enthalpy-based Lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) with double-distribution function (DDF) model is used to investigate numerically the effects of inserting a porous matrix on the heat transfer performance of the phase change material (PCM). Simulations are carried out for melting of ice in saturated Al₂O₃ porous matrix encapsulated in a concentric annulus. The process is considered as a conduction/convection controlled phase change problem at a representative elementary volume (REV) scale. The present results are validated by previous published numerical simulations of melting with and without porous media. In this research paper, the effects of decreasing the porosity on the temperature contours, flow patterns within the melt zone, complete melting time of the PCM and average Nusselt number are discussed qualitatively and quantitatively.

Keywords:

• Lattice Boltzmann method
• melting
• phase change material
• porous matrix
• convection
• enthalpy method