STUDY OF PHASE CHANGE MATERIALS FOR HEAT DISSIPATION OF SYSTEMS WITH TRANSIENT HEAT GENERATION

An experimental study evaluated the performance of the phase change materials (PCM) cooling method for systems with transient heat generation. A customized cylindrical heating system was implemented to vary the amount of heat generation. The study was conducted under transient and steady-state conditions for different heat generations. The experimental results indicate an improvement in the PCM cooling system compared with the traditional air-cooling system. In the present study, a cylindrical sample was placed in the cooling system, initially cooled only by air and later by PCM. A data acquisition system measured the readings from several thermocouples installed in the sample to determine the temperature response of the sample. A total of nine thermocouples were installed, three on the surface of the sample, three five millimeters inside the sample, and three in the PCM-metal foam. Temperature readings from the PCM-metal foam closely monitored the melting process. To improve the performance of the PCM, aluminum fins were installed around the PCM. The fin dissipates the energy stored by the PCM and helps to dissipate its internal energy to the surroundings. The experimental study revealed a significant increase in the PCM-air aluminum fin cooling system compared to the traditional air-cooling system.