Modeling of CuO nanomaterial effects on phase change of paraffin using finite volume method

• Exergy loss of freezing process of paraffin was scrutinized. • As time augments, the liquid paraffin converts to solid. • The case with W 1 = 9 mm, W 2 = 13.5 mm, W 3 = 1 mm leads to best freezing behavior. • Raising the solid fraction makes the temperature of paraffin zone to decrease. Freezing process has been simulated in a finned container with utilizing finite volume method. The fins with three engagements were mounted around the inner pipe and the spaces among the cylinders were filled with RT28-CuO nanomaterial. Both techniques can boost the conduction mechanism which plays the significant role in solidification. Verification procedure and grid selection have been presented to discover the accurate results with lowest computing cost. Exergy drop has been reported as one of evaluation criteria. As time augments, the liquid PCM alters to solid. The case with W 1 = 9 mm, W 2 = 13.5 mm, W 3 = 1 mm leads to best freezing behavior and process has been completed after 65 min. For such case, with grow of time from 300 to 3000 s, the exergy drop declines around 141%. Raising the solid fraction makes the temperature of paraffin zone to decrease.