On two-dimensional gas flows through granular phase change material

A novel numerical model is proposed for modelling two-dimensional planar gas flows in granular phase change material (PCM). The mentioned model consists of system of equations based on the classical methods of mechanics of heterogeneous media which is solved by original finite-difference algorithm. Effect of heat transfer with ambient medium on mushy zone propagation in the bed of granular PCM is investigated by means of numerical experiment. It is shown that phase transition speed can decrease significantly near the side walls of the bed in relation to the central region which provides curvature of the mushy zone boundaries and nonuniform melting of the PCM in the bed. Kind of curvature of these boundaries can change in dependence of heat conductivity coefficient of the PCM.