Abstract
For accelerating the discharging process, the thermal feature of PCM has been enhanced in this study with inclusion of nano-powders. Besides, utilizing curved shaped container can increase the speed of ice front reaching to inner zones. Negligible efficacy of velocity of liquid PCM makes the poor impact of convection in this phenomena and coupling of temperature equations and SF creates the mathematical model. Turning to accurate solution, the immediate step is utilizing adaptive grid which is combined with finite element approach. Good agreement was reported for validation test. The required NEPCM properties have been measured according to single phase formulation involving the impact of diameter of particle in calculation of conductivity. Adding alumina nanoparticles can decrease the need time about 8.29 % to 41.2 % for present modeling. Besides, utilizing optimum size of powder instead of dp = 30 nm makes the freezing time to reduce about 19.96 %.
•For accelerating discharging process, NEPCM has been utilized.•Turning to accurate solution, adaptive grid was applied.•Adding alumina nanoparticles can decrease the need time about 8.29 % to 41.2 %.•As dp up to optimized value, freezing time reduces about 19.96 %.