Void initiation and growth in unidirectional freezing: The influence of natural convection

C. D. Sulfredge, L. C. Chow, K. A. Tagavi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

17 Scopus citations

Abstract

Experiments were conducted to observe the solidification sequence and final shrinkage void distribution more precisely than was previously possible for liquids frozen from above in a rigid, constant-volume container. Physical models have been developed to give quantitative predictions about the different regimes of void initiation and why voids ultimately cease to grow downward with the freezing front. In both models, natural convection is of paramount importance for understanding the heat flows within the solidification chamber. Agreement of the results with experimental data is encouraging. We feel that these results will eventually lead to better void management in phase-change materials for storing thermal energy.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)411-436
Number of pages26
JournalExperimental Heat Transfer
Volume6
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 1993

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This material is based on work partly supported under C. D. Sulfredge's University of Kentucky Dissertation Year Fellowship. The project was also funded by the Air Force Aero Propulsion and Power Laboratory, contract F33615-87-C-2777.

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Control and Systems Engineering
  • Instrumentation
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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