Modelling Phase Change Material Solidification-Melting for Accurate Thermal Energy Storage Design in Refrigeration Applications

Phase Change Materials (PCMs) offer a promising solution for thermal energy storage (TES) in refrigeration, especially for critical applications like medicine and food preservation. This paper presents a new modelling approach to optimise PCM performance in cold storage systems. The research uses the Enthalpy-Porosity Model (EPM) to simulate PCM solidification and melting processes. This model offers a more accurate prediction than simpler methods and accounts for natural convection effects. The FreeFem++ toolbox and Galerkin method are employed for numerical solutions, enabling efficient parallel computing. By precisely modelling the phase change behaviour, the proposed method aids in designing high-efficiency and reliable cold storage systems with PCMs. This research contributes to advancements in PCM technology for sustainable refrigeration solutions.