Heat Transfer Enhancement of Modified Sodium Acetate Trihydrate Composite Phase Change Material with Metal Foams

Abstract

In this paper, an experimental study is performed to enhance the heat transfer ability of phase change material (PCM) using copper foam (CF). A numerical model is established to predict the melting and solidification process of composite phase change materials (CPCM) in metal foams. The step-cooling curve of CF/CPCM is ideal, with low subcooling and high thermal conductivity because of its interconnected porous structure and high thermal conductivity. the CF/CPCM physical parameters are in line with the expected target. Therefore, a more suitable solution should be selected for practical applications. The CF/CPCM heat storage and exothermic device basically completes the exothermic solidification process at 3600s, and basically completes the heat absorption and melting process at 4200s, which has a more obvious effect on the overall heat transfer strengthening of the device and reducing the non-uniformity of the material, and the design and construction of the CF/CPCM heat storage and exothermic device can be carried out when the application cost is possible.