Volume 23, Issue 4 pp. 287-294
Research Article

Theoretical study on a novel phase change process

Jianfeng Wang

Corresponding Author

Jianfeng Wang

Institute of Refrigeration and Cryogenic Engineering, Energy Engineering Department, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, People's Republic of China

Refrigeration Laboratory, Energy Engineering Department, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, People's Republic of ChinaSearch for more papers by this author
Guangming Chen

Guangming Chen

Institute of Refrigeration and Cryogenic Engineering, Energy Engineering Department, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, People's Republic of China

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Haobo Jiang

Haobo Jiang

Institute of Refrigeration and Cryogenic Engineering, Energy Engineering Department, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, People's Republic of China

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Abstract

This paper mainly deals with a novel homogeneous phase change process in materials (HPCP). The HPCP is analysed in detail and the expressions for one-dimensional HPCPs are derived. It is concluded that, compared with the conventional phase change processes, the complete phase change time of HPCPs can be decreased by 60% for a spherical phase change material (PCM), 50% for a cylindrical PCM and 33% for a flat plate PCM, respectively, and the application of HPCPs to thermal energy storage systems can charge or discharge thermal energy with constant rates. Possible applications of HPCPs to thermal energy storage are simulated and further discussed using composite flat plate PCMs. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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