Effects of Brownian motion on freezing of PCM containing nanoparticles

Abstract

Enhancement of thermal and heat transfer capabilities of phase change materials with addition of nanoparticles is reported. The mixed nanofluid of phase change material and nanoparticles presents a high thermal conductivity and low heat capacity and latent heat, in comparison with the base fluid. In order to present the thermophysical effects of nanoparticles, a solidification of nanofluid in a rectangular enclosure with natural convection induced by different wall temperatures is considered. The results show that the balance between the solidification acceleration by nanoparticles and slowing-down by phase change material gives rise to control the medium temperature. It indicates that this kind of mixture has great potential in various applications which requires temperature regulation. Also, the Brownian motion of nanoparticles enhances the convective heat transfer much more than the conductive transfer.