Comprehensive structural parameter for thermal optimization of PCM composites under constant heat flux: Experiments and simulations

Abstract

In this study, we focus on the comprehensive structural parameter A introduced and validated in our prior research. Five distinct metal foam samples using aluminum alloy AS7G through 3D printing were fabricated. The heating was maintained at a constant heat flux and positioned at various locations on the phase change material-metal foam composites (PCM composites). Our investigation encompasses both simulations and experiments, to explore the thermal behaviors of samples using parameter A under diverse heating conditions. The thermal performance of PCM composites is assessed with different indicators that we proposed. We examine the relation between the structural parameter A and the thermal performance and also the impact of gravity, sample size, heat flux, structural non-homogeneity and ambient temperature. This paper establishes the reliability of parameter A as a structural optimization criterion for metal foam. Furthermore, we find that if the heat transfer mode changes, the relation between the structural parameter and the thermal performance can be different. For conduction-dominated mode, lower parameter A structure shows better performance. For convection-dominated mode, higher parameter A structure improves performance. This may provide explanation for the existing debut regarding the influence of pore density. The study concludes with a comprehensive strategy for structural optimization of thermal performance of PCM composite based on all obtained results.