Thermocapillary effects during the melting in microgravity of phase change materials with a liquid bridge geometry

Varas, Roberto; Sánchez, P.; Porter, Jeff; Ezquerro, J.M.; Lapuerta, Victoria

doi:10.1016/j.ijheatmasstransfer.2021.121586

Cited by 38 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 67 publications

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“…-Depending on Γ and Ma: (i) heat transport can be enhanced up to a factor of 20 [11], (ii) oscillatory flow can appear [12] in a complex pattern selection scenario [15]. -The performance of the PCM device can be further improved using liquid bridge [14] or trapezoidal [16] geometries.…”

Section: … To the International Space Station: The Effect Of Marangon...mentioning

confidence: 99%

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The “Effect of Marangoni convection on heat transfer in Phase Change Materials” experiment, from a student project to the International Space Station

Sánchez¹,

Ezquerro²,

Gligor³

et al. 2022

4th Symposium on Space Educational Activities

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This manuscript summarizes the educational and scientific outcome of the Research-based learning activities performed in the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate programmes in aerospace engineering at the Technical University of Madrid. The activities are related to the line of research in Phase Change Materials in microgravity developed at the Spanish User Support and Operations Centre. The principal scientific results obtained during these years are outlined, drawing particular attention to those related to the “Thermocapillary Effects in Phase Change Materials in Microgravity” experiment and the “Effect of Marangoni convection on heat transfer in Phase Change Materials” project. The outcomes of this research are discussed from an educational perspective. Since 2016, we observe an increased interest from students to participate in research activities, which has had direct positive impact on the production of scientific results

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Section: … To the International Space Station: The Effect Of Marangon...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Based on simulations, we anticipate that thermocapillary flows will increase the heat transfer rate by a significant factor, depending on the physical properties of the PCM, geometry, and applied temperatures [11]- [14]. Additionally, we expect to observe interesting dynamics related to oscillatory flow.…”

Section: The Marpcm Experimentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The “Effect of Marangoni convection on heat transfer in Phase Change Materials” experiment, from a student project to the International Space Station

Sánchez¹,

Ezquerro²,

Gligor³

et al. 2022

4th Symposium on Space Educational Activities

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…2021 a , b ; Varas et al. 2021), and annular cavities (Dhaidan & Khodadadi 2015). The use of thermocapillary force implies the presence of a liquid–gas interface; in this respect, the configuration of a liquid bridge is advantageous, since the shape of the interface can be kept straight easily in microgravity.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Accordingly, in systems with melting/solidification, one can observe the evolution of the nonlinear dynamics inherent in liquid bridges (Lappa & Savino 2002; Lappa 2018; Varas et al. 2021).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of heat transfer through an interface on convective melting dynamics of phase change materials

et al. 2023

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The presence of thermocapillary (Marangoni) convection in microgravity may help to enhance the heat transfer rate of phase change materials (PCMs) in space applications. We present a three-dimensional numerical investigation of the nonlinear dynamics of a melting PCM placed in a cylindrical container filled with n-octadecane and surrounded by passive air. The heat exchange between the PCM and ambient air is characterized in terms of the Biot number, when the air temperature has a linear profile. The effect of thermocapillary convection on heat transfer and the topology of the melting front is studied by varying the applied temperature difference between the circular supports and the heat transfer through the interface. The evolution of Marangoni convection during the PCM melting leads to the appearance of hydrothermal instabilities. A new mathematical approach for the nonlinear analysis of emerging hydrothermal waves (HTWs) is suggested. Being applied for the first time to the examination of PCMs, this procedure allows us to explore the nature of the coupling between HTWs and heat gain/loss through the interface, and how it changes over time. We observe a variety of dynamics, including standing and travelling waves, and determine their dominant and secondary azimuthal wavenumbers. Coexistence of multiple travelling waves with different wavenumbers, rotating in the same or opposite directions, is among the most fascinating observations.

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“…Temperature gradients along the interface cause variations of surface tension resulting in tangential stresses which can drive bulk flow motion. This effect of thermocapillary flow is very important in many scientific studies and technological implementations such as crystal growth 1,2 , welding 3 , combustion 4 , thermal energy storage 5,6 and liquids handling in microsystems 7 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pattern selection for convective flow in a liquid bridge subjected to remote thermal action

et al. 2022

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The stability of thermocapillary/buoyant flows is affected by an remote thermal source. We present a nonlinear two-phase computational study of convection in a liquid bridge that develops under the action of Marangoni and buoyancy forces, as well as under the influence of distant thermal disturbances. The gas phase (air) occupies a typical annular container holding a liquid bridge (n-decane, Pr=14), and the disturbances are locally imposed in the form of hot/cold spots on the outer wall of the container. The hydrothermal wave instability and pattern selection have been explored for two temperature differences ΔT by varying the intensity of thermal source Hf over a wide range. Not far from the critical point, in all the cases, the instability emerges in the form of a standing wave, but the azimuthal wavenumber depends on whether the external perturbation is caused by cooling (m=2) or by heating (m=1). Further into supercritical area, 45% above the threshold, in the region with thermal perturbations −200 < Hf < 50, the flow pattern comprises, but is not limited to, a hydrothermal traveling wave with the azimuthal wavenumber m=2. For hotter perturbations, the instability develops either in the form of traveling or standing waves, depending on Hf, with the prevailing mode m=1, but with a strong presence of other modes.

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Thermocapillary effects during the melting in microgravity of phase change materials with a liquid bridge geometry

Cited by 38 publications

References 67 publications

The “Effect of Marangoni convection on heat transfer in Phase Change Materials” experiment, from a student project to the International Space Station

The “Effect of Marangoni convection on heat transfer in Phase Change Materials” experiment, from a student project to the International Space Station

Effect of heat transfer through an interface on convective melting dynamics of phase change materials

Pattern selection for convective flow in a liquid bridge subjected to remote thermal action

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