Numerical study on utilization of melting of phase change material for cooling of a heated surface at a constant rate

Numerical calculations were performed for the melting of phase change material in a rectangular cavity to examine the possibility of using the melting process for cooling of a surface heated at a constant rate. Two orientations of the heated surface, i.e., at the bottom and at the side of the cavity, were examined. ln addition, the effects of uniform- and discrete-heating conditions on the cooling of the heated surface were studied. Because of strong natural convection, the temperature of the heated surface was kept almost constant for a long period and the value was smaller for the heated surface located at the bottom of the cavity than at the side. The discrete arrangement of the heated portions strongly affected the cooling of the surface.