MATHEMATICAL-MODELING OF THE THERMAL PERFORMANCE OF A PHASE-CHANGE MATERIAL (PCM) STORE - COOLING CYCLE

A mathematical model for the prediction of the thermal performances of a PCM store containing 1 m long and 38 mm diameter polypropylene tube has been developed in this study. Air was utilised in the store as th e heat transfer fluid. The model was based on an energy balance or the 'conservation of energy principle'. The results indicate that the agr eement between the predicted and observed temperature or heat transfer data is generally good. The amount of energy used in increasing the t emperature of the PCM at any time during the phase-change process is p redicted to be about 3.5% of the total energy stored. Copyright (C) 19 96 Elsevier Science Ltd