Thermal and melting heat transfer characteristics in a latent heat storage system using Mikro

This paper presents the results of experimental and two-dimensional model for phase change, conduction based melting heat transfer problem of a staggered tubes heat storage system using Indonesian traditional substance called Mikro as phase change material (PCM). Specific heat correlations of the Mikro with temperature during specific range of solid and liquid phase were formulated. With the help of these correlations, numerical calculations then performed. It is found that the numerical results agreed very well with experimental data. The model was then used to investigate problems related to phase change and thermal characteristics of Mikro in particular system, which include total of melting times, the nature of heat transfer in melted PCM as well as heat transfer coefficient calculation during charging process. (c) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.