Phase Change in an Enclosure Under Different Combinations of Boundary Wall Condition: A Numerical Study

The research presented here studies heat transfer process in phase change material (PCM) in an enclosure under three different combinations of boundary heated surface. Isothermal conditions were imposed at the boundary, with adjacent sides and opposite sides heated. Numerical techniques were implemented to solve the governing equation employing “effective heat capacity” method for modelling of the phase change. The fastest melting was observed for adjacent heating walls, approximately 28.08 and 13.79% faster than other two. It was observed that natural convection is the main reason driving the pace of melting and has different impacts under different conditions. Natural convection is not significant while providing heat through vertical walls which also corresponds to slowest response time. The natural convection is also responsible for the wave-like shape attained by the solid–liquid interface. The pattern of melting signifies a symmetric melting pattern for the vertically heated sides.