Study on crystal growth and distribution characteristics of supercooling salt solution in the process of flow

As a phase change energy storage material, salt solution ice slurry exhibits significant advantages and broad application prospects in the field of cold storage media due to its high latent heat of phase change and high heat transfer efficiency. In this study, the flow field and phase field method (PFM) were coupled, and the lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) was employed to analyze the dendrite growth and distribution characteristics of the supercooled salt solution under both static and flowing conditions. Subsequently, partial least squares (PLS) theory was utilized to analyze the weights of the factors influencing the supercooling crystallization of the solution, providing guidance and reference for understanding the crystallization solidification characteristics and state regulation of salt solution. The results indicated that when the flow velocity increased from 0.1 m/s to 0.5 m/s, the growth rate in the upstream side rose by 27 %, whereas the growth rate in the downstream side only increased by 12 %. The influence of anisotropy intensity on dendrite shape was weakened by the flow velocity. The dendrite growth rate decreased with the increase of concentration. Supercooling degree and heat flux are crucial parameters affecting ice crystal growth. As the supercooling degree and heat flux increased, supercooling crystallization of the salt solution was more likely to occur, and dendrite growth became more pronounced. This research offers scientific guidance and reference for understanding the crystallization solidification characteristics and freezing state regulation of salt solution.