The effect of water’s presence around the Phase Change Material

[IF=1.356]International audienceAs part of the research in the field of thermal control of electronic components, a phase change material is confined in a liquid and is heated vertically on one side by a hot plate. The presence of the liquid around the phase change material prevents the formation of air bubbles produced in case of direct contact between the hotplate and the phase change material (extends the lifetime of the phase change material by reducing overheating zones). It improves heat transfer by increasing the thermal conductivity around the phase change material (raising the thermal exchange surface) and by accelerating the convective transfer. This work examines experimentally and numerically the effect of the water on the phase change material and on the heating plate. The water is used around the phase change material and a comparative study of the comportment of some important parameters like the melt front form, melting time, flow direction, temperature, and operating time is realized. It is found that the presences of the liquid around the phase change material seems to be more interesting for a thermal protection role than the standard case of the phase change material directly heated by the hotplate