Journal of Solar Energy Research

Numerical Analysis of Heat Transfer and Phase Change in a Metal Foam Enhanced Phase Change Materials for Solar Thermal Energy Applications

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

1 Technical Instructor Training Institute, Middle Technical University, Baghdad 10074, Iraq

2 Petroleum Engineering Department/College of Engineering, University of Kerbala-Karbala 5600-Iraq

3 College of Engineering, Al-Naji University, Baghdad, Iraq

10.22059/jser.2025.404688.1660

Abstract

Phase change materials (PCMs) are vital in solar energy systems as a result to their capability for thermal energy storage and release via latent heat. However, the fundamentally low thermal conductivity of most PCMs meaningfully obstructs their heat transfer performance. To address this restriction, the combination of high-conductivity structures such as metal foams demonstrating highly effective. This research exhibits a numerical investigation into the impact of embedding metal foams, particularly aluminium and copper, within two types of PCMs (RT42 and RT54HC) to boost their thermal performance in solar thermal applications. The research appraises metal foam porosity levels ranging between 85% to 95%. The results indicate a notable decrease in melting (charging) time as porosity decreases, specifically a 15.4% reduction for aluminium foam and a 10% reduction for copper foam when the porosity ratio drops from 95% to 85%. This highlights the occasion for considerable enhancement of heat transfer performance at lesser porosity levels. While using aluminium foam, RT42 melts faster than RT54, with melting times of 1121 s and 1787 s respectively, indicating a 37% decrease. However, increasing heat flux further reduces melting time, with RT42 in 85% porosity copper foam hitting 870 s at 3000 W/m².

Keywords

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Journal of Solar Energy Research
Volume 10, Issue 4
October 2025
Pages 2702-2713